Nice post batgirl.

I also like that when we replay old games we recapture so much of the original, except whose eyes the candle was in, who was drunk, and so on. We can't say that about many olde games.

It's also special that we can play the game without equipment at all! (Blindfold)

A delightful list, Sarah Beth!

One that I might add (if I may) ....

I like it that even people who do not speak the same language can "communicate" in the language of Chess.

I hope you are in good spirits....

I commend you on your interestingly thought-provoking post, batgirl.

I like chess for all the reasons you have outlined.

Additionally, I like it because chess is a human activity that embodies the synergism of art and science creating a beauty that is far more than the sum of its parts.

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful input. Without intending any slight towards anyone, I'm particularly glad to see my old acquaintance and sometimes-collaborator, the Bishop Berkeley, friend to all and denizen of chessgames.com,  posting here.

Most people who responded have prefaced their individual posting with a (hopefully heart-felt) positive comment on the choice of topic.  Just as newspapers seldom print wonderful news (though I'm sure much of it exists), since bad news is generally most exciting and probably sells more papers, I wasn't sure how a positive topic would go over (and compared to, say, the "Cheating" threads, not too well) but I'm very pleased with the result so far (not that i think my pleasure is relevant).

Forgive my parentheses-laden, Faulknerian-styled run-on sentences.  I'm just too lazy to do any better.

(For Karl, the above font is colored Black)

Wonderful post. I too love chess. It is an individual attempt to win. You can't look to any other if a loss comes your way. 

I like that chess is something that my father has taught me.  Me and my dad werent as close as I wouldve liked, but every time I play I remember that my father gave me a great gift to carry and I cant wait til I pass it on to my son and daughter.  Every time I play I remember the times (not enough) that we played and that is something I will always have.