Europe Respects Chess More Than USA?

> those that consider chess as a hobby that makes them intellectually superior <

They've never been to an Open. "Intellectual superiority" is not the first phrase that comes to mind when you gaze around the room. It's more like "socially-challenged weirdness."

maskedbishop wrote:

>We have to form strategies based on observations of the position, calculate possible scenarios in the future, remember technical procedures and principles... and it all has to be done mentally without taking notes or discussing it.

You can say the exact same thing about masturbating to pornography. It's not really a rousing endorsement of the game.

I wouldn't call myself an expert on the topic, but I don't see at all how you could say the same thing about pornography. I don't see the comparison between formulating a strategic plan in chess and pornography in the slightest.

I should also clarify an earlier point: I don't consider chess a "superior" game, nor do I consider myself intellectually superior because I play. I merely wanted to present a counterpoint to johnmusacha's assertion that chess isn't intellectual. I'm just saying- I've played chess and I've played basketball, and I have to think a lot harder at the board than on the court. That doesn't make chess "superior", but it does indicate that in my experience, playing chess is a more intellectual than playing basketball (just an example).

Just wanted to say I'm something of an expert in trolling (or so I like to think) and Chezboy is defintely not a troll, nor is this a troll post.  I've never known Chezboy to be anything but totally serious and reputable.

Thank you johnmusacha!

I literally did a spit take (of water) upon having read this.  Funny stuff.

>I wouldn't call myself an expert on the topic, but I don't see at all how you could say the same thing about pornography. I don't see the comparison between formulating a strategic plan in chess and pornography in the slightest. <

You're right, you are not on expert on the topic. Leave it in more capable hands.

TMB

maskedbishop wrote:

>I wouldn't call myself an expert on the topic, but I don't see at all how you could say the same thing about pornography. I don't see the comparison between formulating a strategic plan in chess and pornography in the slightest.

You're right, you are not on expert on the topic. Leave it in more capable hands.

TMB

And for that riposte, I tip my cap to you. Well done and thanks for bringing a smile to my face. I'm happy to leave any further pornography-based discussion in more capable hands =)

Every nation seems to have its game of choice - the top 20 players in the world for Go (the board game) all come from China and Korea, where chess is less popular - yet I would consider Go at least as intellectual (if not more so) than chess. In America, it seems the "game of choice" is poker. Looking up the top ranked poker players in the world, most are from the USA, and poker Tournaments get a lot of airtime in the US, and there does not appear to be any lack of sponsorship. I think the main argument here would be "poker is not an intellectual game" which raises the question - what makes a game intellectual? My final point is that a lack of mass popularity for chess doesn't bother me, it is the sterotypes and mockings chess players used to get in popular culture (I don't watch TV anymore so I am not up to date) is what disturbs me, that is anti-intellectual!

kclemons said: "card games are even more random"

An individual hand without betting is random. But a match with many games and betting on each hand is not random and requires great skill. There is a reason why the same people keep winning in poker over and over again and there is a reason why there are rankings. But I would argue that chess is a more complicated game than poker.

chess is more popular in europe and yes taken more seriously and given more respect there. I get the feeling the general level of knowledge about chess is higher in europe than in north america. because of this they, generally speaking, have a better understanding of it and thus more respect. just like they understand soccer better because soccer is more popular and taken more seriously (they freaking riot about it; green street hooligans). I'm sure there are analagous things that people in north america take more seriously, have more understanding of and respect for as well. cultural differences.

I do not agree

I think you are confusing sponsership with intellectual interest.

American corporations are really only interested in sponsering events that are going to have a long term return. 

Chess, as popular as it is, still is not popular enough to generate the interested needed.

Europe, on the other hand, has many companies who are willing to sponser for the sake of supporting something they feel is beneficial to society as a whole.

Most American males I met played chess. Many others, at times, told me they would like to play chess but felt it was something they had to start as children.

I'm also certain that Americans out number any other nationality on here, and may, in fact, out number all the European players combined (percentage wise).

This was said:

"Intellectual superiority" is not the first phrase that comes to mind when you gaze around the room. It's more like "socially-challenged weirdness."

Perhaps that is true in many American tournaments. But most of the elite players have nothing socially wrong with them. Except for a few cases like Fisher, most of the world champions have fine social skills. Same with most of the currently top ranked players in the world.

I have played tournament chess in both the USA and Europe ( Portugal and Spain mostly )  and there's a world of difference(s) with both having pros and cons .... 

eml_joe wrote:

Every nation seems to have its game of choice - the top 20 players in the world for Go (the board game) all come from China and Korea, where chess is less popular - yet I would consider Go at least as intellectual (if not more so) than chess. In America, it seems the "game of choice" is poker. Looking up the top ranked poker players in the world, most are from the USA, and poker Tournaments get a lot of airtime in the US, and there does not appear to be any lack of sponsorship. I think the main argument here would be "poker is not an intellectual game" which raises the question - what makes a game intellectual? My final point is that a lack of mass popularity for chess doesn't bother me, it is the sterotypes and mockings chess players used to get in popular culture (I don't watch TV anymore so I am not up to date) is what disturbs me, that is anti-intellectual!

Agreed. However, wouldn't that mean that the USA indeed doesn't respect chess as much as Europe?

American  Idol?

The mindset of instant gratification, one reason chess isnt popular here.  In an culture of instant this...I want that now...I need...I deserve...you owe me...half the population is medicated, kids are on some type of drug to calm them down, and we wonder why chess isnt popular?

Does anyone have any real stats that show chess is more popular in Europe than the U.S.? I've met plenty of Europeans and most of them didn't play chess.

I think the OP was about venues, not actual popularity.

"Agreed. However, wouldn't that mean that the USA indeed doesn't respect chess as much as Europe?"

I would say that is a true statement.

In the original post you stated "is it because Europe respects intellectual activities more than the USA? What do you think?" If I could replace "intellectual activities" with "chess" in the initial post I would be in full agreement.

I second this.  My sources say that chess is no more "popular" in France than in the USA.