Effects of Caffeine on Chess Performance and Cognitive Function in Professional Chess Players (NCT07641335) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Effects of Caffeine on Chess Performance and Cognitive Function in Professional Chess Players
United States12 participantsStarted 2026-06-15
Plain-language summary
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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 50 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Chess Performance Accuracy
Timeframe: 30 minutes after beverage consumption through completion of the tournament-style chess game at each experimental visit.