Are Chess Players Outsiders?

You got the point pretty well, Alex. 

Sometimes we don´t fit with others, and sometimes they don´t even notice it. But on the inside, we feel like outsiders.

I´m planning on going back to tournaments when Covid finishes, you usually can find some people like you there. 

Some know, others don´t even think about it but feel it by instinct I believe. 

I agree there´s a distinction even between chess players, as the interests vary.

But I´m referring to the ones who gets really fascinated and spent countless hours with it, playing serious or just for fun. We are all in the same boat. 

Maybe chess is a way out for those people who don´t fit in traditional jobs. Simply because they could not find other things that fit their interests.

Btw, nice new avatar and background. 

Thank you. I quitted chess for 5 years and got back 7 months ago approximately. I was playing at a higher level when I stopped, but don´t know if I´m starving for titles right now as I´m more focused on coaching and writing about chess.

About CM and NM in Russia, it´s natural as you have so many GMs. But times change then. I read some Kasparov and other Russian authors speaking about this title in Soviet Union times.

Btw, there are far higher rating NM´s than me, the top one being Russian: https://www.chess.com/blog/BlitzKriegBoy99/the-strongest-national-master-in-the-world

A piece of nice music to hear while playing.

I don´t see why not. Obviously, places, where chess is more popular, will get more adherents. 

😊🐳💤...Oui me as an insider  i just eat TUna + play chess & have no worry to work

the OCEAN is so happy ... as all outsiders are busy in playing chess rather than whale hunting

keep playing  & turn ur pawns into 's then we end up as ONE big QUEEN

Hahaha. Being a whale looks good.

People playing chess aren't any different from a tennis player or, Idk, a pro gamers for example. People are people, nothing more, nothing less. Just deal with it.

I´m not saying that one is better than the other. 

My point is that if you are REALLY interested in chess shows that you have something different from the others, making you an outsider. Is that statement true?

This is a valid question because a considerable amount of people who are interested in chess (studying the game, playing tournaments, etc) have the opportunity to do other things, profitable ones, just don´t do because these things (usually traditional jobs) don´t fit them.

You might be looking at it too narrowly. Very broadly you could split people into two groups, those that pursue a hobby or interest as a vocation and those that dont. There are keen sports people (footballers, skiing, etc.) that pursue their interest professionally, taking up jobs in coaching, training or as professional athletes. A friend of mine took up teaching so he could have the summer off to climb in the mountains - his choice of career was strongly defined by a hobby. These people all had opportunities to do other things but made choices that reflected a strong interest in their life. This isnt unusual. Look hard and you'll find it is quite common.

Thanks for sharing your point of view, Mark. I got it.

Yes, we can´t ignore similarities. I was just asking specifically about chessplayers. 

Let me give you an example: of a generation of promising players that I know (all masters), a considerable amount of them didn´t fit with any profession and have some issues and frustration with life. They are all kind of smart, but simply can´t move on. They somewhat ended up giving up chess as well. 

Others found a way in poker.

Just a few managed to engage in traditional professions.

I know you kind of answered that, but I´m trying to clarify where my question came from. 

Good question, for me, yes, i was kind of a outsider in middle school, i didn't really have much in common other than the people at chess club, but even they were different.

I have an interesting story about this.

In January last year I quit my job and started playing poker with an NM friend. We started looking for more people to form a team - a curiosity is that everyone had to wear an akatsuki ring -. In the end, all the team members played chess.

I personally think example is really important.If the coolest person in your school played chess then you being a chessical genius would make youkind of "cool"But many people still have the belief that chess is only for smart people and they never try it out

Nope, If you addicted, maybe. It happens not just for a chess player. Look at a few esport players, some of them may being an outsider. This is social behavior, not linked with the certain activity. So be happy and do you life as an healthy and wealthy guy. Yolo

& i'm always in the Water eating Yummy TUNA ... i never go out into the Outside World

+ i play CHESS everyday & still no Human could catch me as a Whale Hunt

See i am not an Outsider