Chess game relieves dementia, Alzheimer’s – Medical expert

Dr Johnny Onwumere, medical practitioner and Chess Captain at the Enugu Sports Club says that playing chess relieves neurological diseases such as dementia and alzheimer .

Onwumere, an ophthalmologist, made the disclosure on Saturday at the flag off of the maiden Chess competition themed “Fortifying the Chess Game” at the Enugu Sports Club.

The captain described chess as a “mind game” that relived neurological diseases such as dementia and alzheimer which were more common among people who did not utilize their brain.

According to him, non utilisation of the brain put individuals at risk of developing alzheimer disease or dementia.

“If you use chess, it will exercise your brain because it was a thinking game. It does not involve using of muscles,” the leader explained.

Onwumere said that the Chess Conclave of the sports club decided to organise the maiden tournament to promote chess in the state, explaining that Chess was an internationally recognized game.

He disclosed that the game was registered in 2010 in the club and the conclave had overcome its teething challenges and now on a cruising state.

“Enugu Sports Club has different sections that include Lawn tennis, golf, table tennis, gym and others and the Chess section is the youngest because it was registered in 2010.

“You have to be a member of chess conclave to play it and we have about 70 registered members.

“On the theme, we want to fortify chess game in the club for the first time and spread it out to other people outside the club.

“We have plans to popularise the game and make it acceptable in schools.

“In civilised countries, even children from secondary schools go for chess competition,” he said.

Declaring the competition open, the Chairman of the Enugu Sports Club, Chief