besides, the crucial moment of beginner in chess will determine love or boredom towards chess.

for instance, when I started chess as a kid in the mid 90's, I learnt in hard knock outs school disappointed with the game.

Later, I realized, It was more than that, When I moved to a new house and my neighbor was obsessed with it all day so I could learn from him. and Love is still on, now aiming to be a senior world chess champion some time in future. that I am past chess prodigy stage :)

Chess is beautiful for those who are challenged to play and few other insiders, now that we have young champions all over the place, chess has a beautiful future, note down that one from me and you will realize too~

To be perfectly honest, this is coming from a non background and non playing chess person, till recently.

I think chess is extremely popular, I'd say it would easily beat any game out there when it comes to amount of people who play (popularity) and when people play chess it turns into a (game of life), lifetime game. What other game has such continued support?

Chess has stood the test of time, chess is not just a fad, no other game could ensure it's mass popularity throughout the test of time, and if 1500 years doesn't prove this as fact, then you Sir/Madam will never be one to see the forest for the trees.

Chess is and always will be the #1 game people play!

For those who can't read the dark on red...

I don't know how true that is, that chess is more popular than boxing or hockey. But I can say that chess is a unique sport, if that's what you'd classify it as, because it's not seasonal. You can play all year round. Anytime anywhere. :) 

What you're describing is not a popularity issue. They all know what chess is and how to play it. However, they're just not good at it. Baseball is popular. Everyone knows what it is and the fundamentals. However, they may not have ever swung a bat before. And they probably don't know some of the more technical rules of the game.

It somewhat is

Once again, not a popularity issue.

To be perfectly honest, this is coming from a non background and non playing chess person, till recently.

I think chess is extremely popular, I'd say it would easily beat any game out there when it comes to amount of people who play (popularity) and when people play chess it turns into a (game of life), lifetime game. What other game has such continued support?

Chess has stood the test of time, chess is not just a fad, no other game could ensure it's mass popularity throughout the test of time, and if 1500 years doesn't prove this as fact, then you Sir/Madam will never be one to see the forest for the trees.

Chess is and always will be the #1 game people play!

I mean't board game or online game. My apologies.

     If u missed chess in the sixties then u missed it's day in the sun....

maybe someone needs to think of a new way to make chess more exciting for the masses

+1

I will never be any good even if I did try...I really enjoy it though.