Doping in Chess

i for one think testing for doping is necessary because there really are drugs that can make you focus much much much better than you ever expect for example adderall not going to tell you to use it because it is addictive but it can help you cram for a big test and would probably cure ivanchucks time trouble problem lol

i agree tiger..minority. However what do the numbers suggest? Who is willing to pay travel,tickets and whatever else to watch chess? In comparison to the huge numbers who would rather pay a website pennies a day to follow it at home. If you want chess in the Olympics then we have to attract viewers..wether its right or wrong is irrelevant to the modern business world.

And since its legally prescribed, then what everyone in the top one hundred becomes ADHD even at 40y/o...I think the Olympics pretty much created an open ended way to eliminate chess permanently because like i said earlier...what no coffee or tea between rounds now? please...think folks. any stimulant could be "doping"

Agreed.

Another point : do you imagine chess tournaments being held in a 10000-person hall with the crowd shouting at each move played ?

Agreed,you even see empty stands in some real exciting Olympic spectator sports because it is cheaper and easier to watch on TV. Besides most chess maniacs have spent all their money on books and special chess sets already.

No I dont...but whats the selling point to potential sponsors?? It would be the equivalent of arguing card games into the Olympics. Texas holdem going to become an Olympic sport? An furthermore poker has a much larger audience..(not that I support poker in the games btw)

The prize fund for the WC between Anand and Gelfand last year was $2.5million. Chess quite obviously has a selling point for potential sponsors.

You think that prize fund was raised via ticket sales? Did Anand and Gelfy have a whip round in the crowd?

I don't think it should be in the olympics either, but to question interest from sponsors is just daft.

2.5 million? an what did we see DRAW>>>DRAW>>>DRAW....how exciting..the fact of the matter is "you dont spend money where there is none to be had" they should be greatful for the prize pool the have considering...to ask for more when lets face it the chess world isnt known for buying 60.00 hats with Kramniks' name on it...or a knight or whatever..just ask Robert Hess about "endgame clothing"...they arent competeing with Nike...again right or wrong  a matter of fact...the onlt thing exciting to the "non-chess world is blitz...there's a thought..but still Master draws...engines...if I were Nike I wouldnt be crazy either...where's the thrill for the "mob" if you will.

It doesn't matter what you personally find exciting, but I'm sure they'll take your point of view into consideration when they are handing over a couple of million to Carlsen and Anand later this year.

Sponsors don't put up a $2.5million prize fund for no reason. Despite your personal lack of interest in the World Championships, quite a large number of people care a great deal. Including the people spending millions of dollars to put them on in the first place.

Your argument about clothing is ridiculous as well. How many Figure Skaters do you see on a Nike advert or t-shirts (maybe Torvell and Dean 20 years ago but even then)....that's an olympic event. Ski Jumpers, do you see them on hats? Showjumpers - do people show up to spectate in a pair of jodpers? Shot Putters?

Do we get rid of all olympic sports in which the athletes don't have their own clothing range or a name on a hat? That would be over half of the events that exist. Don't be daft.

If you base a sport's merit on how many t-shirts it sells, you are missing the point of sport in the first place.

L-Dopa, Piracetam, Ginko Biloba, Vinpocetine, Choline, Caffiene, Ritalin.

Just to name a few.

+10, Thank you both.

Just take a B-complex vitamin, with food, and you are good to go for any 5-hour OTB chess game.  That's basically all there is in that (overpriced) 5-Hour Energy Drink.

L-Dopa and the list above are much too pricey.  Substitute chess STUDY, instead. 

The self-knowledge of cheating cannot be eliminated.  And yet, it's a grey area of ethics to judge the moment one has crossed the line in 'getting some help' toward better play.  . . . . To quote James P. Carse, "Although it may be evident that whoever plays a finite game plays freely, it is often the case that finite players will be unaware of the this absolute freedom and will come to think that whatever they do they 'must' do."

I'd like to see Anand, Gelfand and Ivanchuck with their little swimsuits playing chess at the olympics...

That's a slice of toast with Vegemite. Bog standard Australian breakfast. And that's why we're all such intellectuals

I reckon that chess has a shot at being an Olympic sport.

They have given the kyber pass to wrestling.

So all that matters is TV eyeballs and money. Tradition doesn't matter a jot.

So we need a new type of chess:

GLADIATORIAL. Two masters in an arena. Strap them both with razor sharp fingernails. They slash at each other. Each time one draws blood they can make a chess move. And doping...that a must to generate extra contoversy and publicity.

A man was watching a guy chewing apple's seeds.

- what are you doing?

- I'm chewing apple's seeds.

- Why?

- They make me smarter.

- That's great! Give me five seeds.

- I'll sell you five seeds for 50$

The man eventually bought the seeds and started to chew them with great passion... After a while

- Hey guy! I bought five seeds for 50$. If I had bought 50$ of apples I'd have had many more seeds!!!

- Hey man, you look smarter now!

- You're right! They worked!! Sell me another five seeds!

Yes please.

Must remember to eat more apple seeds!