Chess addiction

How does a person know if he is addicted to chess? and are you? If so, is the addiction wonderful? Finally, do you want to stop?

Sandrita, not even,a little?

No, i don't think so Sandra. An addiction could possibly or even probably disturb your life, but doesn't need to do so to be classified as such. Furthermore, one should even think about what level of discomfort can be considered a 'disturbance' in your daily life. 

...i know, i'm a very annoying human being ...

Personally, i think i may just be starting to grow into a chess addiction. I notice myself more and more surfing to all things chess related when i go online. I'm okay with it though, since i would consider it a positive addiction, where the plus outweigh the cons (for as far i can see so far).

Thanks, every person in the world is nice in his or her own way. You are nice too

Thanks, every person in the world is nice in his or her own way. You are nice too

Thanks Sandra. I think everyone is nice in his or her own way. You are nice too

Im certainly addicted, Im taking quit my job play chess all day level.

I'm definitely addicted, it gets really bad, start not enjoying it and getting angry with it, but just have another game, and another, and another...

I think it is the speed angle of it, too much like gambling, maybe if there was a good following for 'live' longer games it would be better!

There are worse things that you could be addicted to.

Totally addicted to it. To your first question I want to quote an excellent book called "A dictionary of American idioms" by Adam Makkai, Ph.D: "...addicted to adj. phr. So used to something that doing without it becomes unbearably painful..." Does it sound familiar? If so you may be addicted indeed.

Its a grave increasing problem, this chess addiction . I like to be IN CONTROL of my MIND. With " addicted to chess" syndrome the mind is a SLAVE to the hardware  ( hardwired brain )  . I take mini vacations free from  my laptop and anything to do with chess so that I can still maintain CONTROL.   MIND GAMES are scary. i dont think playing chess compulsively is all that good for us. severe brain changes here.

You know you are addicted when you play endless games, winning most but losing on time because it is such a short time, in my opion I think games below 15mins a side should be stopped, it is too addictive and not really like proper chess.

Chess is very addictive and can be a bit of hindrance to personal and career growth (unless you are a superGM and have a livelihood built around chess). I'm struggling myself to not think about chess or have the lust to watch games/ play games. I must admit, it gives a lot of satisfaction to forget about the real world and focus at the board and it gives a sense of omnipotence when you play brilliantly and win. Yesteryear Dutch GM Hans Ree talks about this and how he and his friends were deeply addicted to our royal game. I think the key is to balance your life and take the game lightly (win or lose it's just a game) and quite possibly do something else for your main livelihood. Another difficult thing for chess addicts would be to stop playing and manage their time. They often tend to get lost in the labyrinth of possibilities of chess and couldn't help but play blitz or keep analyzing. That all said, Chess is great for our intellectual happiness (Karpov even once said that anyone that doesn't play chess is an unhappy self!) and the structure of how the world is built and functions resembles a lot in our game. You can understand (and improve) a lot about strategic thinking, long term planning, forces of life, resource management and improve your vision on tactical possibilities (opportunities) in the real world.

Playing chess is ruining my life and leading to lot of problems in my family life too. I play way too much chess. And the problem is I am not even an average player. I am in mid 30s and have recently (in last 2 years) become hooked to chess. My wife simply hates the fact that I indeed can ignore other important priorities in my life just to be playing online chess.

The biggest problem I face is stopping. And the frustration associated with losing to equally rated players. So unless I haven´t beaten them I won´t stop. 

Can someone help me overcome this addiction?

Unfortunately, putting chess before your wife is a bad sign. It's time to sort out your priorities and choose life.

My girlfriend hates chess to so I can understand your problem, but if your wife is anything like my gf shes prolly on facebook or ignoring  important priorities with other silly matters.  As far as overcoming I recommend drinking, as one of the great problems and solutions to all things, drinking will deter you from playing chess and maybe even dull the sound of your wifes nagging.

Best advice I've seen on chess.com as of yet!

Just get a naltrexone 'script.

Thats true! Thanks. If only it were so easy. Hopefully I beat this addiction soon. If only I could stop after playing a game or two, there wouldn´t be any problem to begin with. I mostly play 3 minutes to 5 minutes rated and those games can end very soon. Furthermore I am a person who never ever rejects a rematch (if someone asks for 5 rematchs I will give them those). 

Fortunately though, my wife is very responsible and doesn´t kill time on the internet at all. That makes me doing it all the more intolerable for her. I loved your advice by the way. I am sure if I told my wife that she would ask me to rather stick to playing chess.