'S a hobby, mate. If it isn't your ball of wax, best move on and get started on the novel or homeless shelter or contemplation of loftier thoughts.
I'm a big fan of chess as a daily mental exercise, a big fan of sport as a daily physical exercise, and a big fan of my work as a means to financial and social ends. Chess is just a delicious part of this balanced breakfast.
Find your own balance.
You said it all, Mate! Chess is food for the neurons.
It fights Alzheimer's, for one plus, for sure!

me to the Chess Club !!



"Consider chess players as smarter?" That's probably a fallacy but at the same time you can't be dumb and get good at chess.
dumb = stupid. Now, there is dumber than dumb.
I'm not sure if those poor people could improve much, if any, at chess. But it's not easy being stupid, so it's not nice to pick on them. 
So, stupid people can't get good at chess? Can you be stupid in some things but smart at chess? I'm thinking about multiple intelligences here, i.e., stupid in sports - smart at math.