Whether or not chess is a sport

I know this has been discussed before, but the threads are old, long, and have become off-topic - as this one will eventually become as well.

So the question - "Is chess a sport?"

My answer?  It doesn't really matter - does it?

Now, that may seem apathetic and/or an opinion, but I have a logical foundation behind that.  Words are subjective and ever-changing.  What is today, isn't tomorrow.  We see that more now in the rapidly changing World than we ever have.

And especially US English, there really isn't a governing body that determines definitions of words; it is mostly based on usage.  Do you want chess to be a sport?  Just call it a sport - forever.  If it catches on, it WILL be a sport by definition - if it isn't already.

I'm the type of person who likes things "all neat and tidy."  I like standards and classifications, but more importantly?  I like to understand the World as it truly is.  Whether chess is or isn't a sport today does not mean it will or won't be tomorrow, and that is without the game actually changing whatsoever.  All that will have changed is our perception of what "sport" is.  So as I said I like standards and classifications, I have to understand things that CANNOT be "neatly classified."  What IS or ISN'T a sport is one of those things - and belongs in courtrooms, where they purely talk about nothing but for the sole purpose to hear themselves talk.

So I say whether or not chess is a sport - is irrelevant.  Just play and enjoy it.

This is a good question, why does it matter if chess is sport or not. I can see two possible reasons which have some ground to stand on:

1. Because a spade is a spade. If you come from a culture where chess is in fact seen as sport, this whole question becomes as pointless as telling anybody "if you think boxing is a sport, just call it a sport". Well, yeah sure I will, because it is. And for the other side it sound to relativistic: can I call my president a king, my cat a dog and my math home work a sport too? 

It becomes even harder since definition of "sport" is better found in philosophy of sports journal rather than dictionaries. 

2. Because it activities which are classed as sport and are part of sport federation have so much easier to get faster and cheaper access to locals, tournaments, tax reduction, visas for traveling and so on. This would make it easier to start clubs and tournaments.

One could argue that sports get the help from government because they promote health but then again, pro sport are usually a hazard for the health and saying darts, billiards and shooting is so much healthier make the whole issue fuzzy.

Chess is a Board GAME that a lot of people like to play ( emphasis on Board Game ).

Dmfed, 

All good points.  I think the issue IS that much of this is very relative.  I'm not much of a "words person" because words are too - "squishy?" 

You mention math homework being a sport, and some people would consider that comical; however, is it?  One could argue it's not a game.  For some it is - it's a challenge, one they enjoy.  Competitive throughout the classroom - or even the school.  Then - one could argue it's not a game because that is not its intent - it's to learn, not "play."  However, couldn't we argue that professional sports' primary objective is to earn money - not actually "play?"  So why is it still a sport at that point?

And then when you call two very different things the same, "logically minded" people still have to precede one or both with an adjective to show the difference.  So you have sports - of course, chess and football are both very different.  You could call chess a sport, but then we'd find ourselves using the terms "physical" or "mental" sports.

And to be clear, no - I do not consider math homework a sport, but you could - if one were so inclined to twist words.

I am at least glad you call it a board game, rather than an e-sport, which I have seen.  Almost makes me want to throw up a little.  I think to myself, "Chess existed hundreds of years before the discovery of electricity.  Really??"

Additionally, I totally agree chess is a board game.  Football is a field game.  Hockey is an ice rink game.  So - all sports are games, but not all games are sports?  I'm not disagreeing with you - strictly asking for your opinion.

If you are playing for fun on cc some rapid, or if you play with friends in club it feels weird to me call it a sport. 
But if you play one or two three hours long otb games per day at some prestige tournament and the rest of your day you are preparing for the next game, then it's right to call it a sport. 
I know that what I said isn't any definition.. 
it's only the way how I personally look at that, thats all..

🤦‍♂️

Well, I'm certainly not trying to redirect attention anywhere.  Outside of government funding or policies, as Dmfed mentioned, I don't really believe it matters if chess is considered a sport.  But that again goes back to things like this "belongs in courtrooms."

However, I disagree that this thread will not prevent anyone from discussing it in other threads - even though that's not my purpose.  There will be AT LEAST one person who agrees that the discussion is completely pointless - for those not looking to change some sort of policy that is.

So I guess my point?  Whether or not chess is considered a sport - is irrelevant.  Furthermore, I am a little bored I suppose, and decided to write about it while I thought about it.

Interesting.  So for you, a sport is more of a large, organized event or at least a serious undertaking of competition?  I can't disagree.  But I guess my question would be - what if two people were casually playing tennis.  Really no purpose other than just burning calories and destressing.  That would not be a sport?  But then a rally at Wimbledon would be?

I'm not sure if I'm understanding you correctly, but you're saying for you - whether or not it's a sport isn't based on the game itself, but rather the setting and intent?  Very interesting.

No, and no. No chess isn't a sport and no it doesn't matter Other than what Dmfed said where sports are often more likely to receive funding over games. 

The only way I can see it mattering is when someone is insecure or something about playing chess and wishes it were a more significant activity. Sports tend to have more credibility. We like playing 31, golf (the card version) and other board games too. Just because chess, and other games, are not sports doesn't make them any less enjoyable. They are a different activity than sports and they serve a purpose that's different than sports. 

I am differencing it not because it's organized but because playing tournaments full time is very stressful and tiring.. Thats what makes sport the sport I think, being tired and still trying more.. If you play chess for fun with a friend that aspect isn't there.. If you play big tournaments and take the games and preparations really seriously it appears there.. 

Well, I have to agree it doesn't matter - to me.  But whether or not it is a sport?  I can't say - or care.

I do agree pop-culture finds physical games more appealing, probably mostly due to the fact they are generally fun to watch.

Additionally, I also agree some people feel the need to reclassify the game as a sport due to insecurity; however, I cannot say that is the case for everyone.  Some cultures, as Dmfed mentioned, automatically assume chess is a sport.  I have a hard time assuming that cultural evolution happened strictly because of insecurity.

FoxWithNekoEars:

Thanks for elaborating.  I feel like I wasn't TOO far off from your view.  Still interesting though.  I'm not sure I have seen that same reasoning before, and I find it fairly logical.  Not saying I agree or disagree, but it certainly has merit.

Yeah thanks, you are welcome~🦊

@SamPrime101:

Well, first of all we have adjectives for this kind of sports: mind sport. Not mostly used but it is there. Just like precision sports for golf, darts, bowling, shooting, billiards and other activities which some might not class as "real" sport, just like motor sports, animal sports, ball and racket sports and so on. And I would say it is often better to be precise when needed, I wouldn't answer my doctor who ask if I do any "sports" (which they never ask, usually the question is if I'm physically active) with "Yessir, I do chess and darts!".

Problem with very rigid definition is that they either exclude a lot of things which obviously should be included or include things which obviously should be excluded. Just look at definitions of game in wiki. Most homework are not ment to replicate real life, where we would look up answers we don't know instead of trying to wing it by answering by from memory. In most cases you cannot cooperate and look up answers, while we would do exactly that in real life. So we have rules and limitations. We could have scoring system, if you score your homework, as well as a competition where placement is non-exclusive (if everybody do their homework correct, everyone get the first place). Pretty sure same game is done for learning and the emphasis on "fun" does make it fuzzy if professional sports or even recreational sports done for health are game or just physical exercises. So saying something is sport or game is not saying that much at all. 

But I do wonder why some people build their identities and self-worth on fact that chess, or anything else for that matter, is or isn't a sport. I don't feel more athletic if I call chess a sport, I don't feel sport activities are by necessity more important or better than other activities or that person who do sports are better humans.

   ---   Here we go again ! I had a thread on the go about this. but it was endless and rather stupid. But I'm sure this thread will go on and on as well.

In my home state, Oregon, an article today announced the benefits of the World Athletics Championship in the city of Eugene. Athletes, fans, and media from over 200 countries will be there they said. And it's supposed to bring in somewhere between 50 million and 200 million dollars to the area. 

However, one person, an elderly man with a shock of white hair, a deranged look on his face, crawled out from his tent upon hearing the news. He muttered something to himself about chess should be included, but then stumbled back into his tent, and hasn't been heard of or seen of since.