Is chess a sport? Ending the debate

Pocket pool.     rotflmao  

If it's not a sport, then why are these amazing athletes on trading cards?

Chess is a sport in my opinion

Chess is not a sport. End of debate.

When the facts show that the he discussion is over, it is over.

The debate won't end when you want it to, there will always be a person that will tell you otherwise. Also, what is the point of mindlessly saying ''Oh, Chess is a sport'' and ''What are you on about, it isn't a sport.'', when we are not getting anywhere?

Look at this made up conversation.

Barry: Hey Mike, I think I am a teapotist.

Mike: What is that?

Barry: A person that believes that there is a giant teapot floating in space.

Mike: You believe that?

Barry: Yes.

Mike: But there is not one chance that is true.

Barry: But it is true.

Mike: There isn't a teapot in space, end of debate.

Barry: Yes there is.

Mike: No there isn't.

Barry: Yes.

Mike: No.

You get the point.

Everyone knows that when you want to end a debate you use:

"I know you are but what am I?"

Why does this debate even exist?  Is the implication here that sports are "better" than games?  Chess is a game.  Deal with it.  Games are just as important as sports are though.   Of course, you couldn't get 80,000 people to crowd into a stadium and pay $500 each to go to the The Chess Bowl.  It's not so much a spectator sport, except to a few die-hard chess fans.   Therefore, is it really a sport at all?   Should sports athletes be paid millions of dollars per season, while most chess pros can barely pay their rents?   It's really all about sponsorship.   Sponsors that advertise their shoes, athletic gear, energy drinks, etc. are really the ones who support those high salaries.   I guess there's not enough money in selling chess sets, clocks and books to warrant having chess tournaments on television.   So, maybe what really differentiates a sport from a game is the entertainment value and the amount of money that can be gained by the athletes, tv stations and sponsors from commercialization.   

Barry?  At least make the name believable.  It's quite likely there's a teapot out there in space, probably many.

Barry is a great name, how dare you!?

It is, but not so common as Tom {edited out due to language} and Harry.

Why are we debating about names? Wait, someone should make a Topic about names.

I see you have a great sense of humor?

Oh, not Karpov!

I bet I could beat Karpov in arm wrestling.   lol

My money is on Karpov. 

It sure did, now the thread is derailed and we are not debating chess as a sport!

Ahhh, tricky. Ok, back to it then, lets start with a statement.

Chess is a sport.

Edit: yes the statement is ironic.