Is Chess for Nerds

Try to type mentally... And read, too!

Suggest to your friends that they discuss the "nerdiness" of chess with nerdy chess players like Chuck Lidell, or the Wu-Tang Clan.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Let the record show that swimming, sunbathing, playing with a beach ball, surfing, sailing, flying like superman, skateboarding, wearing a beanie, hangliding, and attending a party are all activities performed by Nerds.  There is no evidence of Nerd chessplay offered by the OP. The burden of proof lies in the hands of the prosecution.  The defence  rests its case.

 I guess

My wife thinks so. :-)

From my personal experience - people used to call me a nerd.  I let it get to me so much that I quit playing chess.  THAT made me a nerd, for taking advice from boneheads who spend the rest of their lives pumping gas because they are too lazy to work for a good job. 

I don't say that in anger, but in truth. Anyone who thinks you are a nerd because you enjoy mental activity, you would be wise to avoid their words of wisdom :-).

By the way, you can feel free to call me a nerd anytime.  I'll take it as a compliment.

Well put, Hondoham, but have you ever use such logic against a nerd-calling friend or bully?  Your "defense" is sure only to earn you more teasing! 

Haha, that said, I second the notion that if you are really into anything, you are a nerd, and should embrace it, but as long you have varied other interests in your life, you should ignore the nerd-calling and do what pleases you.

In many ways I'm a nerd. I like chess, I'm a programmer by trade, I like reading about coding and books in general, I like lots of music from electro to trance to rock to swing to classical. However, when I was at school I ended up doing ok. I've been to plenty of parties, drunk plenty of different types of alcohol, been pretty successful with women, I've dropped out of university once, and I've partaken of the other 'irresponsible' parts of life (although I do have boundaries that I've never crossed, although this doesn't extend to alcohol). It's not something that I boast about much, but it's something that I'm glad I've done, even the dropping out of university, because it (eventually) focused my life, and I'm at a point in my life where I'm very happy. I've got some really good memories, and I've got a lot of 'life experience'. Doing the things that are socially accepted as cool and being a nerd are not mutually exclusive, and I find that people who are constantly judging either half are doing it out of jealousy, the nerds who judge the 'cool crowd' because they're jealous of what looks like a lot of fun, and the 'cool crowd' judging the nerds out of jealousy of their intelligence. I do think that your early years (by that I mean 16-23) should be enjoyed, so do whatever you enjoy. If it's partying all night and waking up with no idea where you've been (I can assure you that you don't always forget, but it does happen a certain percentage of times) or if it's playing chess. You're only young once, and while I'm still young I aim to keep on enjoying myself whether it be chess, spending time with my new wife, or going out and just closing my eyes and dancing all night.

Ok I am new, I semily suck at chess but I do enjoy the game/sport/what ever you want to make of it, I come from your typical "Afican" country and I have found that chess = nerd. Which I find absolutely unfounded but then again as shakje stated above you do what YOU do where YOU want to do it and don't mind what other people say! We had a semi chess club at school but it was taken that only the TOP students would join and be good at it! I don't believe in that I think if you have a mind, if you can think for yourself and if you can think 2 steps ahead then join in!  shakje had a very good point in that you can do all the "norms" or being a "non-nerd" and still play and enjoy chess!  Someone is helping  me with my chess and maybe there are some people who do not need help but it does not matter - Either way I FEEL that  you should enjoy the game, play it and see how you grow beyond those people who would call you a nerd, because in the end who cares as long as YOU enjoy it and YOU learn something from it!  

 Note for AnthanonyCG - Its not just America it is THE WORLD! Chess is a strategy game that has gotten "lost" in the ages and is seen is unpopular in most countries mostly because people do not understand it and do not take the time to learn it!  (hoping I learn lol!) It is the same as someone telling you all your life - "Hun, noooo, don't try that, nooooo, that is tooo hard for YOU!"

 All it takes to show those people that you are not a nerd or that chess is a sad, sad game is to take 2 hours or less of your time and to explain to someone - Hey this can be just as fun as any computer game or anything else that you can think of! 

 Ignorance is bliss as they say, but hey take a moment to educate the ignorant and you might just have someone who's eyes you have opened to the reality that they can sucseed in something that they never understood!

 you're right! the best defense is a strong offense. 

Sun-bathers, skateboarders, and party-goers you just got served.... you bunch of Nerds.

Chess is for everyone.

Yes, even nerds.

If you play chess, then you are a nerd.

Will Smith plays chess, so Will Smith is a nerd. (and so is Madonna, etc...)

Now, if the above statements are false, then the following statement must be true.

Chess is for anyone who wants to have fun with a great board game.

P.S. I consider myself to be a nerd, but only because of my "nerdy" pursuits (have you drawn a detailed map of Osgiliath on your binder?)

Well I don't think chess is for Nerds.

Chess is just like football and soccer a sport. - Only diffrence is that your not moving a lot :)

Everybody can learn it. You don't have to be smart for playing chess (so you don't have to be a nerd)

Being a nerd, doesn't depent on if  your playing chess or not, but it depents on who you are!