The aim of the present study was to analyze the heart rate variability (HRV) and the electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectrum in low and high performance chess players during easy and difficult chess endgames. A total of 28 chess players participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants were divided into two groups according to their ELO level (rating system used by the international chess federation): 1) high level chess players (more than 1600 of ELO score); and 2) low level chess players (ELO less than 1599 of ELO score). Chess players had to complete two easy and two difficult endgames while the electroencephalographic activity and heart rate variability were assessed. High level chess players exhibit more alpha EEG power spectrums (p-value>0.05) during difficult than during easy chess endgames in the occipital area (O1 and O2 electrodes). Moreover, high performance players showed a reduced autonomic modulation (p-value>0.05) during the difficult chess endgames which low performance players did not reach. These results could suggest that high level chess players adapt their neurophysiological response to the task demand.

本研究的目的是分析低难度和高性能棋手在简易和困难下棋比赛中的心率变异性（HRV）和脑电图（EEG）功率谱。共有28位国际象棋棋手参加了这项横断面研究。根据参加者的ELO水平（国际象棋联合会使用的评分系统）将他们分为两组：1）高级象棋玩家（ELO得分超过1600）；2）低级棋手（ELO的ELO得分低于1599）。国际象棋选手必须完成两个简单的和两个困难的残局，同时评估脑电图活动和心率变异性。高级国际象棋棋手展现出更多的阿尔法脑电图谱（p值> 0）。05）在枕区（O1和O2电极）的困难棋局比最终棋局更困难的时期。此外，在困难的国际象棋残局中，高性能的球员表现出降低的自主调节能力（p值> 0.05），而低端的球员没有达到。这些结果可能表明高水平的棋手可以根据任务需求调整其神经生理反应。