for what reason do you play chess?

I like it because it's an all-embracing hobby. I love to play and win, especially if I've played a really tough game with a strong opponent.

I like to read about the game--its personalities, history, eccentrics, and even fiction.

I like to solve tactics puzzles and play over the great games, especially the 19th century romantics like Morphy.

And I like to watch the instructional videos on chess.com and youtube.

No matter what your mood, no matter how energetic or slothful you feel, chess can make you forget your problems, cure your boredom, and keep you happy for a little while.

i play to test my logical skills

T train my mind skills and because I enjoy the game

The trouble with chess is that there is less chance of beating stronger players because there is no equivalent to a golf handicap.You are restricted to playing similarly rated opponents if you want to have a chance of winning

Its a great challenge and every game is fun, especially when you win after a long struggle..

I was given a chess set 2 years ago and it has just sat in the cupboard as I have had no one to play with. I decided to have a go on my computer's chess game a couple of months ago and am now totally hooked. I love that it's so absorbing and there is so much to learn about it. 

I dont know what i like about chess exactly but one part that fascinates me in chess is the momentum, maybe other call it initiative... I believe something like that exists in real life too, maybe its a bit esoteric and superstitious but anyway that fascinates me.

man you have a really high rating for that.

i dont see the difference between having money or having fun

What irnman means is that the handicap system in golf (which is extremely accurate) allows players of different abilities to play each other at any time, whereas a 1300 chess player has virtually no chance of winning against an 1800.

The money and the women

i second that

To be the very best, like no one ever was. >/

http://youtu.be/sTUj6bD1m6A

I liked chess the 1st time I saw the pieces, which was when I was 5 years old. I guess because I played with toy soldiers, I read about historical battles, and studied the battle maps, and would pretend If I were commanding the army what I would do.

I was naturally attracted to chess pieces because of this, even at 5. I would set my little toy soldiers up in formations, and move them like in the historical battles in different time periods. I really liked the medieval period a lot, so when I 1st saw a chess set I begged my dad to get it for me, he didn't until I was 7 almost 8 though.

Its too bad on that, because once I did get it, I spent many hours just moving the pieces, and studying different positions, without any books, nor direction from anyone at all, I learned how to make pieces work together. I didn't even know about chess books nor clubs back then.

The board reminds me of a map, and the pieces are my units. Positions of the pieces remind me of artwork on a map. Its simply beautiful too me. I also like trying to make all my pieces work together perfectly, like a beautiful piece of music does.

So I have always been fascinated by chess's complexity, and simple beauty. It is not hard to get good enough to really enjoy the game, on a deeper level. Even if you never can completely master it.

Yeah, I get it. Irnman gets it. It ain't pretzel logic.

Although a bit nerdy, i enjoy solving puzzles. chess in my mind is just a puzzle to find the best move for each turn.

to watse time

the reason why i play is because it keeps me one step ahead of the police, with all the criminal activity im involved in ;)

Police fear chessplayers.  :)