Chess players arent usually fat because when you become titled, it requires intense concentration to play which burns a lot of calories
Are all chess players unathletic?
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The general public is typically unfit. America in particular is the leading culprit. So yes, many American chess players are out of shape, but only in relation to the general national statistic (not chess).
There was a time when competitive chess players only donned suits to tournaments and other chess-related events. Suits are usually tailored to some extent, costly stuff, and you do not want your weight to fluctuate unnecessarily lest you cough up more coffers, so players generally kept an eye on their fitness in those days.
is that a joke, I don't go a day without having a match against a shirtless ripped guy posing like sum model in a pool profile picture
Bear in mind that being fat doesn't necessarily mean you're unfit. There are many overweight people out there that are fitter than yourself perhaps. Of course, fit or not, the extra weight is always a health issue because of the strain it puts on the body.
Beer drinkers are a good example. Beer is loaded with calories and will show on the gut (especially with age) regardless of a regular exercise/labour regimen. You'd pretty much have to be a fitness buff to drink a six pack everyday and still mind the weight.
Beer and grub (or greasy snacks like nuts) go hand in hand.
White bread is another culprit. A fresh loaf of white bread could easily be squashed into a single fist. The stomach judges whether you're full or not on just that - whether your stomach is full or not. Americans love white bread, and sandwiches are a common food item for chess players.
Mar 1, 2021
0
#106
Absolutely not. I probably spend about an average of 2 hours a day exercising(mostly swimming and running) and I also play/study chess for 1+ hours on average a day.
Lol
Last but not least, the not so ancient culture of jocks and geeks often determined the shape of a populace.
There was a time when home workout videos were practically non-existent, and the idea of home training was scarce. In those times, it was daily school/work activities that dictated fitness practices; sports people did sports (stayed fit), and book people read books.
Things have been changing since then, there are workout videos on every shelf and gyms at every corner. Fitness is now a universal culture indiscriminate of profession. More and more people are making time for it.
So is the younger gen going to exhibit the same fitness traits as the older generation? Probably not.
But then for America the type of street food they consume is troubling. Asian street food for example consists of stirfried veggies and soups and so on. American street food on the other hand consists mainly of white breads, processed meats and loads of cheese.
I saw a Chicago milkshake on YouTube some time ago. They put a slice of gateux chocolate cake in the milkshake - that's icecream, milk and cake in one cup - and you still get your slice of cake on the side (napkin included). 😍
Chrismoonster wrote:
The former heavyweight champion of the world Lennox Lewis is a chess player
Kobe Bryant also played chess.
Numerous NFL football players played chess.
Mar 1, 2021
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#110
Here is Liverpool and England full back Trent Alexander-Arnold losing to Magnus in 17 moves.
PolarBearAttakk wrote:
Justs99171 wrote:
PolarBearAttakk wrote:
Justs99171 wrote:
PolarBearAttakk wrote:
I'm 6'5" and a 235 lbs powerlifter. Also 2411 rated. So much for your theory.
Thank you! I'm really fed up with the ignorant $h!t.
The most activated organ during any exercise is the brain - FACT!
If one's nervous system doesn't work, nothing works.
When I was a freshmen in high school, all I did was study chess.
My sophomore year, I went back to playing basketball, ran cross country, quit studying and practicing (because I had no time) but I still competed in the weekend chess tournaments. My rating went up 200 points from not studying and playing basketball instead.
Professional chess players work out like professional athletes and have been doing so for over 100 years.
Well said! I completely believe your significant improvement in results from improving your physical fitness and can relate. When I get lazy and start to get out of shape physically, I can't maintain concentration for as long as before and start to play badly due to fatigue.
The audience laughed at Bobby Fischer when he was on the Dick Cavette show and said that he played sports mainly to help his chess. But now all the top players take exercise seriously. Fischer was ahead of his time.
Fischer wasn't ahead of his time. It was said that Capablanca could have played pro tennis if he wanted to. Botvinnik advocated staying in shape. One witness even claimed he could still run at a very athletic pace well into his years.
Kasparov was extremely athletic.
Carlsen is reasonably athletic.
Fischer wasn't doing anything novel for his time. It just wasn't consistent with the stereotype.
Non-athletic world chess champions were few and far between.
I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one. I contend that Fischer was ahead of his time on many levels. Kasparov has stated on numerous ocassions that Fischer is the creator of Professional Chess, meaning that he demanded proper prize funds and playing conditions commensurate with that of someone who is a professional at what they do.
I didn't know about Capablanca being a tennis player. That's interesting. Looking at pics of Botvinnik he didn't look particularly in shape to me, but I'll take your word for it. Of course your references to Kasparov and Carlsen are way after Fischer's era so would only serve to corroborate my point, not contradict it. I didn't claim that Fischer was the only notible chess player to take physical fitness seriously. But I do know that it was much less common than it is today. Lots of world champions, such as Alekhine and Lasker, drank copious amounts of alcohol and smoked cigars regularly, for example.
There is no agreeing to disagree on factual matters. Right is right and wrong is wrong.
I was hardly claiming that Fischer wasn't ahead of his time in any way. I meant very specifically, that in terms of fitness, he was not ahead of his time. Physical fitness was part of the Soviet training regime which predated Fischer. Miniscule research is required to verify this.
Strangemover wrote:
Here is Liverpool and England full back Trent Alexander-Arnold losing to Magnus in 17 moves.
Like he probably didn’t go try hard at chess so he’s probably rated about 1500 also I suppose man Utd so...
i know im unathletic
Mar 2, 2021
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#115
Mar 2, 2021
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#117
Rapid lol. I wonder what the peak of human physical capability will be...the fastest mile run is now 3:43, but when Roger Bannister beat the 4 minute in 1954 it was a huge achievement.
Mar 2, 2021
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#118
If you were running a mile in 5.58 seconds 😆 5 minutes 58 is still pretty rapid mind.
I've noticed the nervous thin types are often the best players.
The former heavyweight champion of the world Lennox Lewis is a chess player
Lewis is a fan of chess, but an extremely weak player.