Israeli chess grandmaster and champion Boris Gelfand has collaborated with the University of Haifa to scientifically prove that that chess can actually make you smarter, increase you IQ level  and make you better adjusted.

The Grandmaster Chess Research Project is investigating the role chess-playing skills on how it can contribute to social and scientific development, and made lead to the development of Hebrew-language educational products teaching and drawing on chess as a way to enhance cognitive abilities.

According to a report provided by Israel21c, the project will also be carefully scrutinizing on how well chess players achieve in the fields of language, math, and in other academic arenas.

The report states that numerous studies on the benefits of chess have already shown that the game improves reading abilities, and is associated with higher grades in school, as well as improved concentration, self-discipline, logic, and other behaviors.

Israeli interest in chess has significantly grown ever since Gelfand has won second-place at the Chess World Championship.