Chess, a sport that doesn't drag attention.

Why that headline? Cause it's true. There are people playing it, yeah, and there are tournaments, even worldwide and you can even earn a lot of money. However, compared to other sports or hobbies, the number of people playing is very low, specially in Latinamerica and third world countries. Unfortunately, lot of people see this game like something for sedentaries, withdrawn ones, or for those old men who like to feed pidgeons in the park. But it doesn't have to be like that. Just like any other hobby, people and yourself have the power to give a more pleasant and fun feeling to chess. Chess is a tool to develop social skills, that helps integration(cause it doesn't matter how old or young you are, or where you've been born...not even you language). And you don't have to be an expert at all. Cause chess is not only about winning, chess is also about having a great time playing it, whether you lose or win. I't s about laughing, about enjoying and amaze yourself with the beauty of the moves and combinations, whether yours or from the opponent. It's about having a talk about a game you watched on the internet, or even just about having a good memory of a great time with your friends. So you can understand what Im taling about here, let us imagine: a hall with several tables, boards and clocks, jazz music in the background(with a moderate volume, of course, it's only to accompany, you know), the murmur of some conversations here and there, some laughing, coffe or tea(or whatever you like, except alcohol and smoking...come on, let's keep it healthy). Now, if your imagination can go beyond, try to visualize the same scenario in other places, like, on a park, on the beach, on the middle of the city, in a coffe, in the backyard of a house where friends gather, etc...as long as the sun doesn't hit you, cause otherwise...
As you see, chess can be very charming, if we try to play like that. If you play with too serious people, like you were playing inside a convent, of course you will hate it. Same thing will happen if you play in dark places where people smoke and drink.
Now, if you are still not convinced to get into chess, I'll tell you this: chess helps with mental skills, it helps you focus, it helps you with associative, cognitive, selective and visual memory. It also helps preventing Alzheimer, it exercises both of your brain hemispheres, it improves creativity, it increases your reading skills, it grows dendrites, which helps to get a better reception of stimulus. If that's not enough, chess can also improve the skill to organize and it helps you to have a better balance between your emotional and rational side. In addition to all this, chess teach you to accept rules, specially when you are a kid. Chess requires respect for the rules and it punishes when you break the rules, and the kid cannot blame on anyone but himself, cause the final result is only the consequence of his or her own skill and decisions.
And that's all folks, and , remember: chess is life.