How important is chess history to you

I recently had a discussion on an art forum about the importance of art history. I personally like to learn about the history of something, if I already spend a lot of time playing. On of the comments I reflected upon from one of my art professors said to me is that (roughly translated) "if you don't have an interest in learning about art history, you should reconsider pursuing a career in art".

Now the topic did not go over so well. A lot of people made the arguably "reasonable" counter-argument that art history doesn't help making a work of art. It's about using techniques.

Personally, I feel like techniques are synonomus to the technology. Technology is built and improved on history of trial and error. Even beyond that while it's true knowlege doesn't tell you the answer... it tells you everything you need to make the next step forward in the right direction. Plus learning the history of something isn't just what happened it's how and why it happened. Most importantly what cultural difference it made.

I am curious to know if and why people here find the history of chess important or not.

Sorry for the very long OP. I'm a part time chess blogger.

Chess history is important to those that study it. Most other "art" forms are not prescribed to be on a particular canvas (as chess is).

Technology does not equal art.  In fact, almost anything can be considered art. Creativity can make it, while others will judge it.

Art is always subjective.

My sentiments too, Paul!

i don't know about the history of chess but i like to read about the history of internet chess.

also, like to read up about grandmasters and how the openings came to be called what they are called.

Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it         GEORGE SANTAYANA 

Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat the 11th-grade GEORGE LEROY TIREBITER

Not that either quote is especially relevant here, but I like them anyway. I also agree with paulgottlieb and SmyslovFan.

As an enthusiast of Art History and general History, when i started playing chess i became naturally attracted to Chess History as well. So yes, it`s important

Chess history is important to me. Likewise I enjoy reading about several players and events that interest me and  have helped shape the game of chess and its theory. My interest was first sparked by the names of openings and variations and I just gradually learned more as I continued to read articles and blogs here :)

MaDawson, I am like you. I also inherently love to study the history of things to better understand the thing itself. As such, learning chess history is part of what is enjoyable about studying chess. Same goes for everything in life (I too have studied Art History, but not art). Unfortunately not many people are inclined to care about history these days. 

Pretty important. We need it to know how to play the game (or that it exists).

I cannot be objective on a question like this one. My college degrees are in history and related fields. Although chess history was not something I studied in college, it is a major element in my program for improvement (I am closing in on an Expert rating USCF). Chess history also provides an endless source of lessons for the beginners that I coach.

Some of the fruits of my daily study of chess history appear at http://chessskill.blogspot.com/search/label/history