US Chess Trust Question of the Month: Is There Such A Thing As A Chess Player’s High?
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Hi everyone,


This is a very interesting question we chanced upon at the website of the US Chess Trust. A very apt video goes along with the question. So, what do you think?


We’ve all heard of the “runner’s high”, which occurs when endorphins are activated by strenuous exercise.
Does something similar happen to chess players?
We’ve all reported feeling the “itch” to play.
Are we unknowingly craving a release of endorphins?
We all have experienced that “Aha” moment, when a difficult problem becomes clear. The solving of a thorny puzzle has always given me a feeling of satisfaction.
Is that feeling endorphin related, or is it something else?
Runners speak of a sense of unease when they can’t get in their regular run. We all know chess players who get antsy, if they can’t get a game.
Is basic brain chemistry responsible for those feelings?


You can post your answers here or at the USChessTrust link.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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