Is chess a sport or not?

[ddevans96]

Although by all terms this is simply a discussion about semantics, the fact that it can be applied to basically any activity is quite interesting. johann's post could (not saying he is) suggest a sort of spectrum from physical to mental exertion.

By this logic, one could say if an activity is a sport based on whether physical and mental exertion is more required in relation to the other, and we could define sport this way:

Most physical < - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > Most mental

I'd like to shift the topic to a slightly more focused question: On the 20-point bar above, where would chess be placed? Where would football, baseball, etc. be placed? What about Elements?

[Sevs]

Although by all terms this is simply a discussion about semantics, the fact that it can be applied to basically any activity is quite interesting. johann's post could (not saying he is) suggest a sort of spectrum from physical to mental exertion.

By this logic, one could say if an activity is a sport based on whether physical and mental exertion is more required in relation to the other, and we could define sport this way:

Most physical < - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > Most mental
I'd like to shift the topic to a slightly more focused question: On the 20-point bar above, where would chess be placed? Where would football, baseball, etc. be placed? What about Elements?

I would have to disagree with your straightforward approach. An example is cross country and distance track, Anyone who has done any sort of distance race knows there is a huge mentality aspect to the sport. Without a mind that can endure the physical pain, or the mentality to not give up when you know you have gone into oxygen debt. I would argue that it is more mental than physical.

A famous runner although not really a favorite of mine is a great example, Dean Karnazes and ultra marathoner.
"Karnazes was not compatible with his high school track coach and stopped running for fifteen years.[2] He resumed running on his 30th birthday with an impromptu all-night, 30-mile trek in his underwear and old lawn-mowing shoes."

This guy hadn't run in 15 years, and yet goes out and runs 30 miles in shitty shoes. He was not in extremely great athletic shape, he just had extremely strong willpower. The point of this is you dont become a good runner for being in great shape, it takes a mind that is focused and trained to perform such actions. 

[johannhowitzer]

Anyone who has done any sort of distance race knows there is a huge mentality aspect to the sport.

But not to the strategic degree of depth as chess.  Chess has many dimensions of logical depth.  Track is partially mental, yes - every sport has some mental component - but it is largely psychological, not strategic.  It requires a different sort of mental energy: willpower, rather than layer upon layer of rational planning.  The mental aspect is as much physical as it is mental - the mind having power over the body.

[ddevans96]

Sevs: Note I said in relation. If an activity requires around half as much mental exertion as it does physical exertion, it would be about one-third down the scale. If it requires near-equal amounts of both, then it would be somewhere near the middle.

[Draynoth]

I believe it's NOT a sport, but it's a very challenging game and I respect it very much.

[Belthus]

Is football a game or a sport? Let's play a game of football. Are you going to the big game? Who was the game's MVP?

Sport and game are not mutually exclusive. Both can refer to the same activity.

[johannhowitzer]

Sports are also games, but not all games are sports.  Sport is a subset of game, like square is a subset of rectangle.

[Belthus]

I cited the etymology of the word "sport." The sense of "active exercise in open air" is present in some but not all meanings. The oldest use of the word refers to leisure activity, without reference to physical exercise or open air. So, in some senses of the word, chess is a sport. In other senses, it is not a sport.

Another thing to consider is that language is mostly organic, not prescriptive. Usage changes over time. Some people use a word in a way that others do not. As long as people understand what is meant, debate is of little consequence outside of an editorial room or a classroom.

[hello12]

No, because chess is a board game with defense/strategy. You don't call board games "sport"

[johannhowitzer]

I cited the etymology of the word "sport." The sense of "active exercise in open air" is present in some but not all meanings. The oldest use of the word refers to leisure activity, without reference to physical exercise or open air. So, in some senses of the word, chess is a sport. In other senses, it is not a sport.

This is why it is important to establish definitions when debating - I established the definition of "sport" as I was using it in my first post in this topic.

Your post (#114) was about the word "game," though, which is what I was responding to.

[artimies7]

If you're really serious about it, it's a sport. So says I.

I'll say no, too.
Otherwise all video games, gambling games, card games, elementsthegame…can be sport.

I agree with this one. Chess is definitely NOT a sport. If it was, we might as well have Monopoly in the Olympics.

Hey, why isn't Monopoly in the Olympics?

Or in the Stationary Olympics anyway...

[Rush6]

Depends on your definition of sport.  Idk, never considered chess a sport.  Although, I can see both arguments have valid points for each side.