Chess Is NOT A Sport

718 Words2 Pages

It seems since the beginning of time people have been playing the game of chess as a hobby or pastime. There are strict rules to the perplexing game and a considerable amount of thought is put into each move. In recent years it has gained a considerable competitive edge unlike before, as well as the respect to call it a sport by some. Although chess is widely recognized, in the end it is only a game.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a familiar name to many. Soon they are to decide which sports will be included in the 2020 Olympics and on their list is chess. With the backup of the IOC, several would be confident enough to called chess a sport. However, who is to say what is a sport? ESPN is a credible sports channel and sometimes …show more content…

There is absolutely no physical exertion to chess (Arb). Moving one ounce pieces in not in any way physical exertion. The counterclaim of this argument is sitting for 5+ hours while playing is, in a way, physical exertion. People sit and wait for trains, planes and cars for 5+ hours and children in schools sit for just as long. However when they do it, they are not doing it for a sport but instead doing something else along with it. The same principle is applied to chess. When playing chess the point of the game is to capture the king, not to sit for as long as possible. Sports are essentially physical, in a way chess is not (Papineau) . Another thing that proves chess lacks physical exertion it needs to be called a sport, is that you can play chess against a computer. With other sports such as basketball, soccer and football it is not possible to play against a computer. Although there may be animated games of these sports, you cannot apply the same skills you would use to play against another person. Therefore, it is not physical but instead only mental, not fitting that …show more content…

There is no doubt that the way chess is played that the most important thing is to be able to think through and execute moves. Being able to remember the rigid rules and use them to your advantage is surely not an easy feat. By those who believe chess is a sport, it is claimed that “where athletic skill lacks, chess utilizes patience, strategy and accuracy to win the game. (Coppenbarger)” However, other activities such as cribbage and sudoku use mental skills but it’s clear they are not sports. Although unlike those games, chess is something you can practice as many masters do. It is also how athletes get better at sports, or how a violin soloist prepares for their big audition. This again proves that chess is not a sport and should not be called one as it is does not fit all parts of the

Open Document