Author: Daniela Izco-Mauleon
Some people believe chess is a sport and some people don’t, so… who is right?
Why chess shouldn’t be considered a sport
“No physical activity means the game is not a sport.” –Andy Arb
To a die-hard sports fan chess may not seem like a sport, this may be because, you don’t sweat, you don’t run you don’t even have to stand up or move, all you have to do is pick up a one-ounce chess piece after 15 minutes of strategic thought.
The definition of sport is `an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment. ’ This indicates that chess is not a sport because it does not require any physical exertion or skill it just requires thinking.
If chess was considered a sport, why couldn’t other board games that also require strategic thinking also be considered a sport like Monopoly, Battleships and Checkers?
Why chess should be considered a sport
“Unique characteristics define chess as a sport.” –Joshua Coppenbarger
On another hand chess could be considered a sport because it exercises the mind with all the strategic thinking.
Like all rules, chess is an exception. The International Olympic Committee believed chess was a sport, so they added the game to their list. Chess is not practised in the Olympic Games, but it does have its own international league held bi-annually called Fédération Internationale des Échecs — or World Class Federation.
Athletes get up early in the morning to stretch, exercise and train to be at their best shape for a competition. Chess players are no exception, they get up early to practise and to find new ways to beat their opponent at an upcoming competition.
So now that you have read the two sides to the argument it is your turn to decide if chess should be considered a sport or not!
