Nationality/Race in chess

Does nationality or race have anything to do with chess?  It seems like there were many good Russian players (Kasparov, Spassky and Alekhine) and many good Jewish players (Fischer, Lasker, Najdorf) and many who are both (Botvinnik, Averbakh, Smyslov).  Who do you think that this is the case, and what about other nationalities and races?

More specifically, culture has a lot to do with how a talent is recognized and cultivated.

A few years ago on ICC a guy was trying to say that Russian brains are different. I thought that was just plain stupid.

Well, its all in how the culture sees and appraciates chess. An good example would be that the Russians teach it in there schools, with the best players being moved on up, much like we here in the states cultivate football and Basketball talent from Grade school, to High school, to college and finaly the best make the Pro's.

Depends on the environment and the upbringing, historically Russia is the greatest chess nation in te world.

Nah. It just depends on their environment and their cultural emphasis on chess. Like for example, Russians honor chess talent and even build special institutions for aspiring talents whereas in America, it's even deemed as nerdy.