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DOI: 10.15507/1991-9468.030.202601.115-132

UDC 316.6

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

Anna V. Aliokhina
Postgraduate Student, South Ural State University (76 Prospekt Lenina, Chelyabinsk 454080, Russian Federation), Psychologist, Personal Therapist, Supervisor, Full Member, Professional Psychotherapists League (3 Industrialnoe Shosse, Kerch 454091, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7963-7822, SPIN-code: 7131-1811, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Viktor G. Kolokoltsev
Chairman of the Tovarishch Chess Club, Chess Coach, “Fiolent” Factory (34, bld. 2 Kievskaya St., Simferopol 295017, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6122-4099, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Elena A. Rylskaya
Dr.Sci. (Psychol.), Professor, Head of the Chair of Management and Performance Psychology, South Ural State University (76 Prospekt Lenina, Chelyabinsk 454080, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3075-5255, Scopus ID: 57217988338, Researcher ID: AAC-1753-2020, SPIN-code: 7747-2213, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Gennadiy V. Manuilov
Cand.Sci. (Psychol.), Associate Professor of the Chair of Psychology of Management and Performance, South Ural State University (76 Prospekt Lenina, Chelyabinsk 454080, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9870-865X, Scopus ID: 57217994569, Researcher ID: MZR-0265-2025, SPIN-code: 7670-3190, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Asat G. Abdullin
Dr.Sci. (Psychol.), Professor, Senior Researcher of the Chair of Psychology of Management and Performance, South Ural State University (76 Prospekt Lenina, Chelyabinsk 454080, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0804-6148, Scopus ID: 57219331935, SPIN-code: 6300-8361, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract
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. Howe ver, 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.
Materials 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.

Keywords: novice chess players, speed and accuracy in decision making, “impulsivity – reflectivity” cognitive style, chess game, decision making strategy

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

For citation: Aliokhina A.V., Kolokoltsev V.G., Rylskaya E.A., Manuilov G.V., Abdullin A.G. Development and Psychometric Characteristics of a Methodology for Diagnosing the Speed and Accuracy of Chess Decision-Making. Integration of Education. 2026;30(1):115–132. https://doi.org/10.15507/1991-9468.030.202601.115-132

Authors’ contribution:
A. V. Aliokhina – application of formal techniques to analyse study data; conducting a research and investigation process; specifically writing the initial draft.
V. G. Kolokoltsev – designing computer programs; implementation of the computer code and supporting algorithms; specifically visualization; verification.
E. A. Rylskaya – formulation of research goals and aims; development of methodology; oversight and leadership responsibility for the research activity planning and execution.
G. V. Manuilov – designing computer programs; verification.
A. G. Abdullin – management and coordination responsibility for the research activity planning and execution; specifically critical review.

Availability of data and materials. The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the authors on reasonable request.

All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 04.06.2025;
revised 31.10.2025;
accepted 07.11.2025.

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