Perfect Information!

A partial reason that chess has captivated people through the ages must have something to do with the fact that the game is one of perfect information. There is no cloud of war. There is nothing hidden and you see every move that your opponent makes. The difference between you is only the the colour and the advantage of the first move. Other than that you and your opponent struggle under equal burdens to defeat the other. Chess is this respect becomes a game of pure mind -- your thoughts and will against the thoughts and will of the person opposite.