Drug Testing in competitive Chess

In another thread, an acclaimed chess coach and author asserted:

I also think that we should end drug testing in tournaments and other competitive chess events.  What we do on our time is our own business.  Drug testing is an invasion of privacy, pure and simple.

Who here can't relate to the hearbreak felt after having to give up your tournament trophy and cash prize just because your urine later tests positive for mushrooms, cocaine, or horse steroids?

Like the Checkmater said, this is Chess, not the Tour de France!

But what is one took some drug that made them much more alert, allowing them to think much more clearly than their opponent?  Wouldn't that be considered cheating?  But if they take hallucinogens like lsd, their opponent would be able to beat them much more easily then before because they can't really concentrate because of the drug.  It's either unfair to the player or his/her opponent, so they should be tested to make sure there are no advantages on either side but the player's intellect, which is what counts.

Can't imagine what drug, other than caffeine, would benefit a chess player. It's not like they need steroids to lift the pieces

Wouldn't be an advantage if the other player had access to Red Bull, coffee, soda, etc.

But don't players need to be able to play the whole game of chess completely on their own, without any sort of help, be it human assistance, or caffeine or drugs?

Are you saying that chess players should be prohibited from drinking coffee before and during games? 

adderal

Have heard of it but don't know what it is

I have been clean of all narcotics for a year and a half now but the title of this thread still sent a shiver down my spine.  No way they would do that in Scotland, its hard enough to get players here as it is.

They are worried about people buying adderoll to get a great energy boost to play. Adderoll will give you that advantage you need in long chess games.

I actually once played and won a tournament game after drinking six beers in the hotel's bar but I was getting really groggy around the third hour. Fortunately, my opponent didn't know that and resigned in what was far from a hopeless position

@cferrel

Thanks. But wouldn't energy drinks/diet soda/coffee do the same thing? If it's a long tournament game, you also risk the "crash" that comes when the caffeine/drug wears off

I have to agree with you there chesspool.

But for the sake of the discussion, you could take enough of it that it lasted for the entire game, but you would be risking an OD if you did do that.  Because of that risk, I would agree that energy drinks would work pretty well in that situation

too much caffine is against FIDE rules.

Ah, this thread brings back fond memories of the USCF fiasco in 2005 concerning a "cognitive health supplement" called brainSpeed, sold by Natrol. At the time, the USCF actually endorsed use of the supplement, and it even planned a promotional "sneak preview" of brainSpeed for the 2005 U. S. Open.

Reaction was as you'd expect...Many USCF members were outraged, and the USCF quickly went into damage control mode. Maybe I should check to see what the official USCF stance is these days on the drug/supplement issue.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050608005188&newsLang=en

I have never played a chess game sober, it must be the artist in me, looking for inspiration ya know.  Drug testing is a socialist cop out from excepting the fact that some people like to throw down.  If your doing random drug test and your top salesman comes back dirty, does he get fired, I wouldnt fire him, and if you did what would be the consequences?Are his personal choices during his personal time effecting the bottom line, no. If your doping in the work place you are a dope, but your free time should be yours to do what the F@#= ever you want to do.  Chess is free time, it doesnt make a flying flip who wins.  And it truly never will.  Love God, Love people and everything else will fall into place.

Medications that are used for those that have ADHD or some other disorder have been shown to significantly improve concentration for chess players. I think this constitutes an unfair advantage, and i think drug testing should go on personally. Now in lower level tournaments its obviously ridiculous

Does anyone know where I could get a deal on some NZT?

New Zealand Takeaways ?