What is chess to you?

What is chess to you? Casual game? Mental martial art meant to improve non chess related areas of your life? Just curious. I know everybody sees chess a little different.

For me Chess is a "stress relief" activity!

Chess is an addicting mental struggle.

It's a battle between two minds. I like your "mental martial art" idea too, but I don't think it improves anything else in life that couldn't be improved much more by some more direct form of study and practice.

Chess sets the stage for an awesome display of human intellect.

it's a way to focus the mind and being able to concentrate on something I don't need to take too seriously.

chess used to be everything. now I feel a void - not negative - just nothing.

I don't know why. I keep playing to keep my playing skill alive however I don't spent too much time.

chess is a way to stay sharp

Chess is essentially a battle between two or more intelluctual minds where both logic, intellect, memory and natural ability all come in to play. 

Chess is a game that I use as a test to see if my ability to focus is strong or not. 

A good way to kill time.

Thanks for all the answers.