“Locus of Control Differences Across Competitive Levels in Chess Players”

Abstract

Competitive chess represents a cognitively intensive sport in which psychological attributes significantly influence performance outcomes. Among these attributes, locus of control has been identified as a critical determinant of behavioural regulation, motivation, and competitive resilience. The present study investigated differences in internal and external locus of control among chess players categorized by performance level. A total of 300 competitive chess players (aged 18–35 years) were grouped into high, moderate, and low achievers based on competitive ranking and tournament performance. Internal and external locus of control were assessed using a standardized psychological inventory. Due to violations of homogeneity assumptions, non-parametric statistical procedures were employed. The Kruskal–Wallis test revealed statistically significant differences among groups for both internal and external locus of control (p < .001). High achievers demonstrated significantly higher internal locus of control compared to moderate and low achievers. The findings suggest that internal control orientation is positively associated with superior competitive performance in chess. The study contributes to performance psychology literature by highlighting locus of control as a psychological marker of elite chess performance and underscores the importance of cognitive attribution patterns in strategy-based sports.