Is chess a sport or not?

[AP579]

Nope; the above doesn't require strategy or calculation unless it's REALLY difficult to beat this guy.

To answer this question, we have to define "sport". Like BP said on first page.

[stevy4]

Chess is and will always be a sport of the mind!

[Cel]

Nope; the above doesn't require strategy or calculation unless it's REALLY difficult to beat this guy.

To answer this question, we have to define "sport". Like BP said on first page.

Easy:
Any athletic activity that uses physical skills, often competitive.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sport

Chess isn't a sport.

[sammybrahh]

Nope; the above doesn't require strategy or calculation unless it's REALLY difficult to beat this guy.

To answer this question, we have to define "sport". Like BP said on first page.

Easy:
Any athletic activity that uses physical skills, often competitive.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sport

Chess isn't a sport.

Well we played life-size chess at university yesterday. Does that count as athletic?

[burpcow]

If chess isn't a sport, then why is poker and bridge featured on sports channels?

I think chess is a sport.

[neuroleptics]

If chess isn't a sport, then why is poker and bridge featured on sports channels?

I think chess is a sport.

But i guess sports channels has got advertisements as well. Advertisement----> those actor/ actress that help promoting a brand are having fun in Sport too? Just joking

[DoubleCapitals]

Chess is and will always be a sport of the mind!

What he said. also applies to poker and bridge.

[bogtro]

This debate occurs on these forums too? Hm, maybe I should read this subtopics more often.

Although I do a lot of chess, I have to say that chess is not a sport. The definition of a sport is "An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others." Unfortunately, chess does not directly involve physical exertion (although anyone who plays serious competitive chess will agree that it is very physically demanding). Therefore, chess is not by definition a sport.

However, it is interesting to note that many laws that apply to sports are also applied to chess teams. For example, I was blocked from playing with another school on the grounds that sport teams under the school name must be comprised of members of that school/district. So in a legal context, it appears that chess is being considered a sport.

Many major chess events are similar to big sports events. While obviously they don't have huge turnouts of spectators (though many will be surprised at just how many watch). There are team olympiads, world championships, national championships, and the like. Many events draw thousands of participants. It certainly seems like it may qualify as a sport, even if it does not fit the formal definition. The real underlying motivation behind chess being considered or not considered a sport is the public funds that may be allocated in the case of being classified as a sport.

Among chess players, there is a huge display of sportsmanship, arguably more than professional sport players. Not showing such sportsmanship leads to ridicule and actual action. In this way, chess players consider themselves to be playing a sport.

Basically, chess as a sport follows 3 principles: a) It is not, by rigorous definition, a sport b) It is considered a sport by many, regardless of this definition, and c) it really doesn't matter

[nojahh]

Its a sport, but its not gonna increase ur muscle or anything, maybe brain only. I myself am playing Chess.

[blarp]

it's a sport

can burn 5,000 calories a day playing chess.

[nojahh]

Lol. Hows that even possible ?

[blarp]

Thinking burns calories. Normal people playing won't burn 5,000. but if you're top level then you can.