Chess sharpens the mind, stimulates concentration, improves the memory and promotes visualization.
Samuel ReshevskyTartakower once wrote that after planting a Knight in the center you can go to sleep. This is not to be taken literally, of course, but it contains more than a germ of truth.
Samuel ReshevskyBy playing slowly during the early phases of a game I am able to grasp the basic requirements of each position. Then, despite being in time pressure, I have no difficulty in finding the best continuation. Incidentally, it is an odd fact that more often than not it is my opponent who gets the jitters when I am compelled to make these hurried moves.
Samuel Reshevsky