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Effects of Caffeine on Chess Performance and Cognitive Function in Professional Chess Players
GRANDMASTER: Gauging the Role of Alertness and Neurostimulation With Dietary Caffeine in Master-Level Chess; A Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Trial
Who can join
Ages 18 to 50 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 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 * Ability to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Non-caffeine users * Habitual caffeine intake exceeding 2 cups of coffee per day * Cardiovascular disorders * Metabolic disorders * Psychiatric disorders * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Current smoking * Shift workers * Use of psychoactive medications * Participation in another clinical trial within the previous 3 months * Known allergy or intolerance to milk proteins, dairy products, or soy * Known red-green color blindness or other color vision deficiencies that may interfere with Stroop Test performance
About the study
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.
What is being tested
- Caffeinated Coffee (dietary supplement)
- Decaffeinated Coffee Placebo (dietary supplement)
Sponsor: St. Louis University · Participants: 12 · Started: Aug 25, 2026
Contact the study team
- Hossein Rafiei, PhD · Phone: 13149778675
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07641335
Locations in the U.S.
| Missouri | Saint Louis University, St Louis |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 2, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.