What is chess to you?

To me chess is many things.  Yes, first and foremost, (because obvious troll is obvious) it's a board game.  But surely, it is more than JUST a board game... to me it is an art, a science, a language, an escape, a spiritual practice, and the best durn fun I can have with my clothes on!  So what is chess to you?

It means horsing around.

Ah, the old - who still have energy to waste! 

For me, chess is mental stimulation pure and simple.

don't like maths? Chess, the ultimate substitution

I feel it is the adrenaline flow that attracts followers to the game, win or lose it excites. If you do not feel it you will never be a life time dedicated chess player. just a simple answer but think about it?

    BTW, Nice chess pieces Joseph-S

For me, chess is a better alternative to the video games and television I see my roommates and friends obsessing over.  I still like those things, but I enjoy doing something that requires a little bit of brainpower, too.

And chess takes a lot.

As for me I guess Chess is both a mental exercise and a fun activity as well. Being in my 60's I'm older than many of the players here and something that one often hears is that it is important to keep the brain active ( and yes I have a thread on the go regarding that subject ).

A friendly mental exercise ... and a board game.

SONG!!! SONG!!!

'Yes,' Tarrou agreed, 'I can understand. But your victories will always be temporary, that's all.'

A cloud seemed to pass over Rieux's face.

'Always, I know that. But that is not a reason to give up the struggle.'

'No, it's not a reason. But in that case I can imagine what this game must mean to you.'

'Yes,' said Rieux. 'An endless defeat.'

It's a board game but it's never boring.

+1 

it is a a great mental excercise and a place where I can have a lot of fun; sometimes during games I consider it a mental fight like a boxing game noone wants to go down. (of course in a good way!).
 

For me the chessboard is an extension of my ego