Is it a good thing to be addicted to chess?

Maybe one can end up like Bobby Fischer or Paul Morphy. One day I wish I'd play and then people would shower me with gold coins after every match. But I say you can never be the WC, If ur not addicted to chess!

My definition of "addicted"/"addiction" is anything that interferes with your daily life; or, anything that stands in between you and your needs.

There are many needs for human beings: Food, Clothing, Shelter, Income, Companionship, Socialization, Family, Sleep, the list goes on.

Thus, anything that comes along that compels you to do certain activities (chess, gambling, alcohol, sex, video games) at the cost of meeting your physical, financial and interpersonal needs is not a good thing.

Under these definitions, no, addiction to chess (or anything else) is not a good thing.

Well what do u say about the great Bobby Fischer and Paul Morphy being addicted to chess?

I seriously doubt that anyone was ever showered with gold & silver coins, regarldess of the legends. Stick to your day job.

Dr Spudnik, 2 WORDS!

FRANK MARSHAL!!!

'Addiction' is by definition harmful and maladaptive. If someone is playing chess so much that their relationships fail, they don't shower, they become malnourished, lose their job, etc, then that sucks. If someone is passionate and studies/plays as much as possible while also maintaining stability, then they're not addicted.

Addiction is a serious word which is thrown around very lightly. Use words like 'passion', which describe what you really mean.

I just don't believe that story. Sorry.

Believe it!

Morphy pretty much gave up playing chess at 14.  He came out of retirement in 1857, played a couple of years, then quit again.  How is that an addict?

And I don't buy the "Shower of Gold" story, either.

Let's make it happen!

Lol,yeah!

Chess is a helluva drug.  I was so high once that I tried to snort a pawn into my nose from the computer screen.  It was weird, but at the time it seemed like the thing to do.

You steal cheese?  How fitting.. you must be a real rat.  I often wonder how low someone will go to satisfy his desire for unessential events and endeavors.  I believe that you are reaching quite a low place in the barrel when you start to steal cheese to play chess.

...and your fingers smell funny.

"Addiction" is not limited to checmical dependance.

Then again, among the "experts", the disticntions between "addiction" and "compulsive behavior" are sometimes gray and it's often a debated topic rather or not a given repetitive activity is an "addiction" or a "compulsion".

To me, it's irrelevant. The results are the same. One repeats and pursues a given action to the extent of causing harm to self or others; such as playing Chess rather than going to work, or consistently choosing Chess activities over family and friends.

Well I just play chess between getting chased by a Billionaire playboy vigilante who dresses up like a bat in a black suit and who drives a pretty goofy looking tank car.

 LoL, right on!

i think the correct word is obsessed with chess