Why I'm Done With Chess

agree

1 "Chess has little to do with intelligence."

= Not exactly true. Chess requires thinking, and a type of thinking that you can get better at. If you mean that chess doesn't simply reflect the general mental aptitude of each person, then fair enough. But what does, exactly? What sort of activity is such that it is a strong reflection of a person's general mental aptitude, and isn't the sort of thing you can get better at with time? Are you upset that you are getting beat by people that you perceive are less intelligent than you are? Go play baseball.

2 "Chess causes people to become unfriendly and callous"

= No way. Some of the nicest and most intriguing people I know are chess players.

3 "Chess wastes time"

= If you don't like it enough for it to be a hobby, then don't play it. But we all need leisure. I choose to spend most of my leisure in chess. What form of leisure would you suggest doesn't 'waste time?'

4 "Chess is shallow"

= If you only played because you were addicted to some warm fuzzy, then I can understand why you're leaving it. The only reason I stayed a Christian so long was for exactly the same reason; no substance, just fuzz. But I stay with chess (though she be a cruel and promiscuous mistress) because I find it inherently beautiful. I enjoy the problem-solving aspect, the competitive aspect, the universality of it, etc. If you don't see art in a Capablanca endgame, then it might just not be for you.

And that's completely fine; it doesn't have to be. Something else will be. You said painting; paint, then.

 First of all, if you clicked my avatar you'd know my name is ED. Secondly, it was a lame joke. Thirdly, things are worse than I thought.

The only part of your post i agree with is #2.

And that only applies to playing online.  People must feel brave sitting behind a computer, so they are much ruder than in person at a OTB tournament.

 I got back into chess recently after remembering I used to play and was actually a step above a woodpusher.  short of it I started going to a club and some tournaments.   The first tournament I went to it was like 8 of us waiting for last two to show, and like no one talked!  I started asking questions about the rules just to loosen up the room.  Even in the skittle room I'm all like wanting to talk chess but this kid, I think ranked 2164, was all stand offish.  After the tourney some stayed after and we played a bit and I even became friends with one of the guys.  Mind you i understand it is no small mental undertaking being righteous at chess, but it is just a game.   This all makes me wonder.. does skill at chess give one the right to be arrogent.  I mean you could argue it is brain v. brain

Chess. What is it really? Does it measure intelligence? Is it just a game that attracts overweight underachieving nerds still living in their Mom's basement? Are all chess players introverts with low self esteem? Why spend your whole life trying to become a master at chess? Do chess players really think they are smarter than the average Joe, just because they can play the game? Why is it so addictive? Are all chess players rude? Are all chess players broke? Is chess just a mistress to provide comfort during those lonely times?

...don't know the answers...but I love this game.

 Hey, Mom says she doesn't mind!

What i do know is in 30+ years of OTB, and tournament play i had 1 rude experience.  And after i brought this to the kids coach's attention it didnt happen again.  But online? Completely different story, rudeness, lack of manners, arrogance, foul language, and such. 

Like i said...some people simply feel brave sitting behind a computer.

 yea I've encountered it a bit, especially live.  but I usually just give it right back and it doesn't phase me a bit.  incidentally the club I go to has some very strong play.  The first nite I went the friend I met at the one tournament said, Dave will play you cause you are new.  We would up going several games, he is a stronger player but has been doing so for nearly 40 years.  On the third game he hung his rook, and immediately after simply gathered this pieces in a sweeping motion and started to reset the board.  I had won!  I dramatic pause in the room, "you beat Dave!?" his reply was something to effect he hung his rook..  I he was a tad merciless in follow games but I played anyway very smug in my win.  He was clearly affected by losing.  I have no problem losing, is their anyone in chess that wins all there games?  I would not do something that had a Completely Ruin Your Day Clause built in, well except date of course..  If Chess is life, then you will have your share of a-holes,, am I right?

Now that I take a moment to think back -- weekend Swisses in Toronto, a stone's throw from Jarvis, and I hear they'll work quickly enough that you won't miss the next round.

This is a common claim. This and; "It's just a game".

But chess is unique in all of human endeavours, as it exists in the borderlands of war (competition), science and art. Is poetry a waste of time? Or music? Of course not, music and poetry feeds the intellect. As is the case with chess.

It is a sad thing if chess is looked down upon merely because it does not put food on the table.

I noticed on your Profile Stats that you haven't played any games on chess.com. Interesting.   

I'm giving up on giving up on chess. I know I'll always have at least some interest in it.

I have never played a live game of chess in 28 years.

The other day at the mall, I found two elderly gentlemen at a game in the coffee shop, so I walked over, and asked them if I could play a game.

My mom was with me, and we enjoyed a cup of coffee.

Half an hour later, the game was over, and they called me.

I know nothing about openings, so when they asked me what I thought bout their game, I just said, I cannot comment, cause I wouldn't know what to say, all I know is that I think I am good, cause I play every day online.

The one guy, said he is going to the toilet, and I started.  I was surprised at how much confidence I had.

I could see how annoyed he became, a few times he took pieces back, so I thought, ah wot the hell, I'm doing that at this site, but it was fun to see someone struggle like that.

When his buddy came back,  he was astonished to find that we are busy with the 2nd game, and that I hammered him with an impressive mate in the corner.

I just smiled inside, when I saw how excited they got about the moves, and the excuses for why this and that move was not made etc.

I wouldn't say I made friends that day, but i was just amazed at how easy it was.

I never realized that at this site, I always feel like I am struggling, I am always being pushed to the limit, and then I get entertained by such a soft game.

I felt very good indeed.

I should thank everyone playing at this site for everything i had learned from everybody.

just wanted to say, that chess can make you feel very important, and it give me confidence to know that I do have a skill to show.

 Yes he has. Bullet, and blitz.

Yeah, sure, I'll bite...

If we're all such arrogant human waste, WHY WHY WHY are you talking to us?

Seems to me, you're the manipulator right here, wanting me to go along with that whole mindset. Seems to me that it is in fact YOU who's the unfriendly, arrogant character this very moment. In those respects I believe you've just proven your point.

 LOL!!! Right. I didn't know he was here...so now I'll only know him as a mediocre whiner who left.

What a clown.

A quick question to manicule, what is intelligence?

 If chess is not a test of intelligence, what is? I am currently doing a degree in physics with philosophy and I find that most of this is about a knack and study, I am on course for a 1st/starred 1st.

Another thing is that blitz/bullet games can get boring but I encourage you to pick up longer versions of the game where you can think for longer and apply your "intelligence" more and if you can join a club where I assure you the members are nice people whilst jerks do play bullet

Unlike a lot of respondents it seems, I liked the OPs interesting and honest post. I spend a couple hours at this game every day. I'm sure I'm not the only person around here investing that kind of time into chess. Doesn't it make sense to evaluate how one is spending that much time? Doesn't it make sense to take an honest look at one's "hobby" and ask if it is really worth the while? The OP has done that ... his conclusions are mildly offensive to chess players perhaps, but he's not targetting any individuals, and in the end they are simply his conclusions.

Manicule's points boil down to: A) Hey I think chess is stunting my personal growth. B) I think in general chess feeds the worst parts of a person's soul.

I think his points are very much worth listening to. But I don't think chess is unique, I think there are lots of ways of becoming (or staying) an immature emotional cripple.

IMO -- The key is to stop judging yourself. If you've got all your self-worth wrapped up in one endeavor: being a "great" writer, or a great chess player, or a great athelete, or great jazz-musician or what have you... and you wrap yourself into something like that and say, when I'm great at X, then I AM GREAT... I think that is the surest way to a stunted crippled soul there is.  Stop judging yourself! Love writing, playing chess, playing soccer or golf or tennis or whatever, love improvising over the changes to All the Things You Are -- and don't worry about what value that confers onto you. You are you -- no title or trophy or prize can change that one way or another.