Checking your chess! Development and validation of the chess self-efficacy scale in a competitive setting

Self-efficacy can influence motivation and performance. It has been widely investigated in sports, but not in nonphysical sports, such as chess. Through the first study, we developed the Chess Self-efficacy Scale (CSS) using the critical incident technique. It is a 63-item measure to assess chess players’ self-efficacy beliefs. Through the second study, we validated the CSS using exploratory factor analysis to eval-uate its factorial structure, which suggests a 38-item solution. Third-order confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirm the structure and assess the presence of two second-order factors and a general third-order self-efficacy factor. Through analysis of variance, we investigated differences among different expertise-level groups. Results confirmed the four first-order factors solution and the second- and third-order facto-rial structure. The CSS seems to be a valid measure to assess self-efficacy in chess players.