Comparative study of emotional intelligence and mental toughness across age and gender in Eastern Zone chess players

Background and Study Aim. Psychological traits such as Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Mental Toughness (MT) are increasingly recognized as performance determinants in cognitively demanding sports like chess. These traits influence how players cope with pressure, maintain focus, and sustain consistency during competitions. Although both EI and MT are applied in the context of cognitive sports, their relative effectiveness in enhancing performance remains a matter of practical interest. The aim of this study was to assess and compare EI and MT among national-level chess players from North-East India across gender and age categories. Materials and Methods. A total of 106 national-level chess players (males = 58; females = 48), aged 18–25 years, voluntarily participated in the study. Emotional intelligence and mental toughness were assessed using standardized questionnaires with established reliability (α = 0.88; KR-20 = 0.86). Data were collected in person during training camps and tournaments. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to verify data normality. Depending on distribution, parametric (t-test, ANOVA) and non-parametric (Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis H) tests were applied. Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman’s rank-order coefficient, with statistical significance set at p < .05. Results. Female players reported significantly higher emotional intelligence than males (p = .023, d = 0.45). No significant gender difference was found in overall mental toughness (p > .05). Age groups showed no difference in emotional intelligence (p = .169), but older players demonstrated higher scores in specific mental toughness components, particularly rebound ability and motivation (p < .05). A moderate positive correlation was observed between emotional intelligence and overall mental toughness (r = 0.52, p < .001). Conclusions. The study highlights the relevance of psychological characteristics such as emotional intelligence and mental toughness in chess. The findings may help in designing targeted psychological preparation and support strategies for athletes engaged in cognitively demanding sports.