Chess is a competitive sport in the classical meaning of the word. One of the most important factors for chess and sport competence is the accumulated time of training. Energy needed for brain activity is first derived from glycogen stores in brain, muscles and liver and later from adipose tissue in chess sport. When the brain needs additional energy, muscles and liver share energy with the brain. When muscles need additional energy, brain complies with the request of muscles.

 

Energy expenditure, O2 uptake and CO2 production during chess games are similar to those obtained during a marathon. Mental and physical fatigue begin with similar metabolic states: deprivation of glycogen. During competitive chess, athletes must be in good physical condition. Mental profiles of chess players and other athletes correlate with processes such as attention, conflict control, memory, motivation and recognition. Physical exercise or chess must be defined by a motor activity completely controlled by the central nervous system in combination with a specific competence. In chess as well as in physical exercise, physical stress prepares brain to cognitive stimulation.