Effects of Caffeine on Chess Performance and Cognitive Function in Professional Chess Players
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-50
SponsorSt. Louis University
About this trial
This study will examine whether caffeine improves cognitive and competitive performance in professional chess players during tournament-style games. In a randomized double-blind crossover design, participants will complete two experimental sessions in which they consume either caffeinated coffee or decaffeinated coffee before playing a standardized chess match. Cognitive performance will be assessed using attention and reaction-time tests, including the Stroop Test, Trail Making Test, and Puzzle Rush task. Chess performance outcomes such as move accuracy, time management, and error rates will also be evaluated. The study aims to determine whether moderate caffeine intake enhances focus, alertness, and decision-making during prolonged competitive chess play.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Male and female professional chess players aged 18-50 years
Current Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) standard rating between 2300 and 2600 Elo, or achievement of a standard FIDE rating within this range during the previous 12 months
Habitual caffeine consumers consuming ≤2 cups of coffee per day
Willingness to comply with all study procedures and study visits
Disqualifiers
Non-caffeine users
Habitual caffeine intake exceeding 2 cups of coffee per day
Cardiovascular disorders
Metabolic disorders
Trial design
Design model
Crossover
Treatments tested in this trial
Caffeinated Coffee
Dietary supplementBlack caffeinated coffee prepared from 15 g of ground coffee brewed in 200 g of water, providing approximately 100 mg of caffeine. The beverage will be consumed approximately 30 minutes before cognitive testing and tournament-style chess gameplay.
Decaffeinated Coffee Placebo
Dietary supplementBlack decaffeinated coffee prepared from the same batch of coffee beans and matched for taste and appearance to the caffeinated condition. The beverage will be consumed approximately 30 minutes before cognitive testing and tournament-style chess gameplay.
Treatment groups
12 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Caffeinated CoffeeActive comparator 1 intervention
Group B: Decaffeinated Coffee PlaceboPlacebo comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Chess Performance Accuracy
Chess performance accuracy will be assessed using engine-based analysis of tournament-style chess games. The primary reported metric will be average centipawn loss per move, with lower values indicating better chess performance accuracy.
Time frame
30 minutes after beverage consumption through completion of the tournament-style chess game at each experimental visit.Secondary outcomes
1
Puzzle Rush Correct Responses
Tactical accuracy will be assessed using the 3-minute Puzzle Rush task on Chess.com. The outcome will be the total number of correctly solved tactical puzzles, with higher scores indicating better tactical accuracy.
Time frame
Approximately 30 minutes after beverage consumption at each experimental visit.2
Puzzle Rush Response Speed
Response speed will be assessed using the 3-minute Puzzle Rush task on Chess.com. The outcome will be average response time per puzzle, with lower values indicating faster response speed.
Time frame
Approximately 30 minutes after beverage consumption at each experimental visit.3
Stroop Test Performance
Selective attention will be assessed using the Stroop Test. The outcome will be the change in Stroop Test completion time from before gameplay to immediately after gameplay, with lower completion time indicating better performance.
Time frame
Before gameplay and immediately after gameplay at each experimental visit.4
Trail Making Test Performance
Cognitive flexibility and processing speed will be assessed using the Trail Making Test. The outcome will be the change in Trail Making Test completion time from before gameplay to immediately after gameplay, with lower completion time indicating better performance.
Time frame
Before gameplay and immediately after gameplay at each experimental visit.Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov