His/her request went like this:  Hey chess community, every time I enter this website (everyday) and I'm at home my mother bothers me and asks why are you wasting your time playing chess couldn't you do something more constructive? (coursework).  But I normally just say yeah whatever, however sometimes i run out of things to say so this is my question does chess have any mental attributes which I can say I play it for?

My response to higgo's request: 

"Here you go, for starters Chess teaches players: thinking ahead, planning, strategy, setting goals, and alternative goals...  Chess not only is a game, it make you think and prepares you for meeting the challenges in this world.  If you don't have a plan, or set goals, or have alternate goals, you would be very hard pressed to succeed in the business world.

By the way, you should not view playing chess as an excuse; if you should be doing your school home work, then hop to it and get it done.  Your future depends on how well you do in school.  You play chess after the school work is done.

Remind your mom that most humans use a fraction of their brain's capacity; you are stimulating your brain and using more of it when you read, play chess etc.  Get your priorities in order and you will do well."

craftysusie

PS: If you have additional comments please respond to higgo's main post:  http://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/help-and-an-excuse 

Thanks

Wise words, CraftySusie!

I only wish is had continued playing chess when I began in high school instead of dropping in because in the pre-on-line age I couldn't find people at my level.  Then I picked it up again a 'few' (something like 45! Ouch) years later.  Maybe I wouldn't make so many stupid moves these days if I had kept playing!  My 10-year old grandson is playing, both on-line and now in a couple of over-the-board competitions - he is really good.  It will be interesting to see if he keeps it up.  For HIS sake I sure hope so...

Graybeard