Development and Psychometric Characteristics of a Methodology for Diagnosing the Speed and Accuracy of Chess Decision-Making

Introduction. The inclusion of chess in school education is substantiated by its proven positive impact on the cognitive development of the individual and by overcoming negative effects of digitalization. Key skills formed during the process of mastering chess include decision-making speed and accuracy. However, the current psychodiagnostic practice lacks tools capable of assessing these specific parameters. The aim of this study is the development and psychometric adaptation of a methodology designed to diagnose the speed and accuracy of chess decision-making. The proposed methodology allows for the comprehensive assessment of chess skills and the level of speed and accuracy in solving chess problems, in conjunction with J. Kagan’s test for determining the cognitive style of “impulsivity – reflectivity”, thereby providing a psychological profile of this style for a specific novice chess player.Material and Methods. In a pilot study, 30 chess problems were developed using Corel Draw for a relevant sample (59 novice chess players). The method of expert evaluation was applied. The final set of test items (12 chess problems) was corrected. The sample size was expanded to 280 respondents. J. Kagan’s psychodiagnostic method was used to determine the cognitive style of “impulsivity–reflectivity”. Statistical data processing methods were employed: Cronbach’s Alpha, Mann – Whitney U test, and Spearman’s correlation analysis.Results. Following the expert evaluation, two levels of difficulty for the chess problems were established. The internal consistency for problems at the first and second levels was above 0.7 and 0.8, respectively, according to Cronbach’s Alpha. Sample homogeneity was determined using the Mann – Whitney U test. Convergent validity of the test items was demonstrated using J. Kagan’s methodology. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the methodology were confirmed by Spearman correlation coefficients. The developed methodology was established to have the capacity to identify the predominant cognitive style (impulsivity – reflectivity) in novice chess players.Discussion and Conclusion. The obtained results will be useful for modern psychological practice and in emerging research areas: chess speech therapy for speech therapists and psychologists, the psychology of chess for chess coaches, other chess teachers, and psychological and pedagogical researchers studying the behavioral characteristics of beginning chess players. Timely diagnosis and correction of the “impulsivity – reflexivity” cognitive style is the basis for further improvement of individual performance indicators in chess players, helping them enjoy the game while maintaining a high motivation for self-improvement.