Is chess a sport or not?

[aqwsz0]

Not a sport. It is a competition though and i do know the arguments used that define it as a sport. But lets get realistic. If chess is a sport then so are video games, texas-hold em, and board games. For those that want to label it a sport i honestly would like to know WHY you want it labeled so.

chess IS a sport.  It needs thinking and it is 2 teams against each other (1 in each team)

[Wimbledofy]

i don't think it is a sport, but I sure think it is way better than golf, even though golf is a sport for the people who can't play real sports

[nerd1]

chess is a sport as long as you play it with lightsabers.

[Korugar]

I have always considered a sport as requiring physical activity. It does not have to specifically have a game field, or two teams(cross country), but it does require some amount of effort(thus, gold is not a sport. That's a hobby). Chess is a competitive game, perhaps even more professional than any sport, and likely requiring more skill. But not really a sport.

[furballdn]

Yes. I consider mental activities sports. Since chess is a sport, go should be considered a sport as well.

[taker]

is chess in the olympics?

imo chess is a sport..i've seen even rock-paper-scissor on tv with professionals

[Corri]

sure.. you dont have to be always sweaty after sports

[Orichalcum]

Not a sport. While it does require skill, I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a sport.

[KiLLjoY]

"Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants" - from Wikipedia

Sport is associated with physical activity, which chess is not and therefore i do not consider it  as sport.

If you say the mental/pyschological aspect makes it a sport, you also agree that E-"sports" like Counterstrike, Warcraf or Starcraft is sport aswell.
And that is something i do not see.

[neuroleptics]

I love playing chess but i think it can only be classified as a leisure activity but not sport
it keeps your brain thinking but i don't think it helps in strengthening the body

[AP579]

If chess is a sport, then Elements is a sport too, considering you need to do calculations and focus on strategy.

It all depends on how one defines "sport".

[whatifidogetcaught?]

No. It is a competition. Saying it is a sport also defines beating another guy to get hired at a job a sport.