Why I'm Done With Chess

Over the 3 years I've been playing chess I've gathered a few things about it: 

1. Chess has very little to do with true intelligence. This is number one. I was introduced to chess through a good friend in college. He was a great player and beat me consistently. At the time I said "So what? It's only because you WANT to be good at chess. You play it so much that you learn from your experiences." He read books on chess, was part of a chess club, won championships. He thought that he was a genius. Now, after playing chess for a while, I too started to feel somewhat more intelligent, but I was fooling myself. I know that if I continue to play chess I will improve now, just as I have been improving since I started. This is all due to repetition and experience playing the game. And I have done very little in the way of actual studying of the game. Chess requires a certain though process, that's all. I understand now what I already understood before I even started with chess - it is not a measure of intelligence.

2. Chess causes most people to become unfriendly and callous - Of course not all chess players are this way. But I've found time and time again, that chess players are some of the most arrogant and unfriendly people I've ever met. I don't like being around most chess players.

3. Chess wastes time. This is a big one for me. I have many interests - from painting to enjoying the outdoors. All these activities leave me with memories that are more fulfilling than anything chess can do.

4. Chess is shallow. I had to ask myself "Why am I playing chess?" And I was shocked at the true answers I found within myself. For one, I want to be a good chess player. I want to know that I am better than most people (this went along with the delusion of intelligence described in #1). I was also addicted to the distraction it provided me. Chess, and games in general are great distractions for introverts. It allows you to escape from your problems. It's entertainment. But above all these, I had to be completely honest with myself - I was addicted to the rewarding feeling it provided me. But I found this feeling a shallow, empty one, and I was disgusted.

So, I am done with chess. And I'm sure many people will disagree with what I've said, though I've only been as honest as possible.

You know, I'll almost bet money that yoou'll be back.

Might take a year, or 5, or 10, but just wait and see.

It seems apparent, I don't play chess for the same reasons. I guess it was important to announce your departure but I'm not sure why. Good luck.

Bye

I learned how to the pieces move when I joined this site. Haven't made much improvement since. But I took it up because I heard it helps improve one's concentration. I don't have any delusions about ever winning any great games playing it.

at the risk of being #2, it just seems like a #3 to me.  of course, i am not terribly #1, so perhaps it was so we would evaluate our #4s and see if we really enjoy the game. 

 Judging by the contempt you shown me because of my low rating, I think #2 describes you.

Can you give me some tips on how to quit chess? Quitting smoking is a lot easier.

And yes if you started and continued playing chess because you thought others would think of you as "smart", and that's it... then yes, why play chess at all? There is nothing you can show "them" as part of your cv anyway. Non-chessplayers won't be interested, or won't understand at all. Now is that great.

If you don't have some chess friends to share games and thoughts with, what's the point of playing the game?

Thanks for the chuckle. You disproved #2 and it wasn't #3 to me. I understood it so I may be #1. As far as #4, I try to reduce the number of things I take seriously.

 I sure don't want to be #2...I apologize.

Hmm, I wonder if your friend was really that good??  In my experience the players that stick with it long enough to become competent players all realize chess has nothing to do with intelligence.  That chess somehow = intelligence is usually a misunderstanding held by non-chess players.

I've heard this before and I think it's a misunderstanding... especially in reference to tournaments.  I think some people forget it's not a chess convention or vacation, it's a competition.  No one thinks badly of athletes who aren't acting like Mr. Rodgers before a match.  Chess at it's most basic level is a competition between two people.  (and I don't think chess players are that unfriendly at tournaments either... or maybe my area is just different heh).

At clubs and such, there's no reason to be a jerk though.  I would say it's simply an unfriendly person using chess as an outlet for the behavior already in them.

Yes!  You've re-discovered another known thing among chess players.  I've heard titled players advise before, get out while you can!  Don't end up like me, having spent countless hours on this game!

But everyone needs a hobby, and if you enjoy chess I don't think there's any harm.  If chess isn't for you though then I suppose the time wasted is doubled :)

To each his own I suppose.  Not everyone plays to escape problems or out of a need to feel superior... chess is interesting and entertaining all by itself.

you're welcome. glad i could oblige.  i believe that the #3 applied to the OP, though, not to us who are #1 enough not to take such forum posts too #4ly. 

Chess in fact is like life.. you win some.. you lose some. people dont just STOP playing chess or STOP anything in general unless they have recently had a bad experience.

So with that said we can find out why your sudden change of mood toward chess occured?? 

Yes many chess players are arrogant pricks but its that arrogance that motivates me to CRUSH them on the chess board.. they brought it on themselves, and furthermore chess does have ALOT to do with True intelligence..you forget at times that you are not playing the board.. you are playing the person accross from you. . . So if you are smarter,and have the drive to defeat your opponent chances are you will. . no matter how many books on chess they read or how many computers they defeat. . if you have a handle on how to play the game it is all about how much you want it.

For example: i have a friend he plays everyday, studies from Fritz. plays against the machine, plays in tournaments.

I do none of that, i casually play on chess.com.. He cant win a game if his life depended on it.. how does that make sense?? i mean it shouldnt you would think that since chess has nothing to do with intelligence then the person who studies more and plays more should win?? right?? WRONG.

all im saying is youve lost that fire.. that motivation to play, and chess can be quite beneficial if you simply enjoy it for what it is.

woodshover, careful not to step in mycowscanfly or you will have to take your shoes of before coming back in the house. 

If you don't enjoy playing chess, then by all means you should quit.

 Poop...was that a cow pie joke?

i think this indicates that you have a much narrower definition of intelegnce than i do.  chess is a skill.  some poeple may not have a knack for it and wont be able to accomplish much no matter how much they try, others may surpass most people with minimal effort.  in my opinion, this is no different than art.  some people learn, some people have a knack, and some just don't get it.  i don't think that artists are smarter than me (or better by any other measure) simply because i can't paint.  nor am i better than anyone else just because i can en passant. 

not specifically a cow pie, no.  unless you are what you excrete. 

Eww, either you're trolling or you're one of those "arrogant pricks" you mention.

The part with "if you have a handle on how to play the game it is all about how much you want it." is pretty funny.  First of all, I thought you were describing chess as intelligence and that chess play is not a measure of study but of an innate skill.  To get a handle on the game suggests improvement though practice and to explain a skill ladder that goes so deep as "you win if you want it bad enough" is a perfect example of how chess absolutely does not equal intelligence