The debate about chess as a sport World Chess Candidates Tournament 2016 Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images for World Chess Few arguments in chess get more attention than the debate about

Debate about chess as a sport

World Chess Candidates Tournament 2016 Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images for World Chess

Few arguments in chess get more attention than the debate about whether chess is a sport. Despite what some proponents of this argument may think, this question is not easy to answer: governing bodies around the world disagree (the International Olympic Committee recognizes chess as a sport, but many national organizations do not), and it could very well happen. right down to how you define "sport" in general.

Below you will find some general arguments for and against chess as a sport. While it may not be the most important debate in chess, it is certainly interesting and there are many passionate views on both sides.

Reasons why chess is not a sport

While there are many ways to frame the argument, there is really only one way to describe the main argument for why chess is not a sport. Although this is just one point, it is quite compelling. Those who say that chess is not a sport are pointing out that chess is not a sport – and what kind of sport can chess be without athletics?

While this may seem like a somewhat simplistic argument, it certainly fits well with the modern definition of sport. While baseball, football, cricket, and figure skating can be very different from one another, each includes athletic feats that require a certain level of physical prowess. In contrast, chess can be played without any movement at all if one so desires – they can name their moves and let the other person make the moves for them. Thus, without demanding athleticism, supporters of this side of the argument will say that chess is not a sport.

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Reasons why chess is a sport

Those who lean toward chess as a sport turn to broad definitions of the sport to find a way to place chess in this category. While acknowledging that chess is not suitable for athletics, they say that sport is a broader category. There is a tradition of this definition dating back to the ancient Olympic Games in Greece, where artistic skills and more were grouped under the heading of sports.

For those who do not like this argument, or who insist on using only the modern definition of sport, supporters of this side of the debate may point out that sportsmanship may not be required to play chess, but it certainly helps.

Modern grandmasters almost always do what they can say in form, as chess players (along with other players such as poker) have discovered that the mind works best when the body is in shape.Top chess coaches have long recommended physical exercise as part of chess preparation, and elite players from Bobby Fischer to Magnus Carlsen are known for their interest in sports and fitness.

This fitness can pay off. Those who consider chess a sport point out that while games may start out as mentally demanding, the stress and fatigue of a six-hour game (especially after several such games in a tournament or match) also starts to deplete physical activity. .

While it may not be exactly analogous to football or athletics, it is definitely similar to some of the other activities that are usually considered a sport (if not universally) such as golf, motorsports, and archery. None of these sports require the same level of athleticism as a sport in which players are constantly running and jumping, and yet being in shape is actually a requirement for professional athletes, and even more so for the elite in these sports. Of course, it can be argued that chess is a sport, just like these activities.

After all, the argument about chess as a sport is not particularly important; how chess is classified is not critical to the importance or prestige of the game. Indeed, the naming of a game as a sport may slightly affect the options available to players around the world. But in the list of problems facing the chess world, this is at best secondary, despite the fact that it takes a lot of time to discuss it.

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