Mirror, Art, or useless?
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Mirror. But for those who don't play, it's useless; I don't thing it's even a hammer.
It is everything. Just like that first guy said.
Hmm, what a question. But we must also answer what science and sport are.
" Science is a first-rate piece of furniture for a man's upper chamber, if he has common sense on the ground floor. " - Holmes
"Sports is the very fiber of all we stand for. It keeps our spirits alive." - FDR
So chess is a useless hammer, a piece of furniture, or a fibery mirror...
I believe chess is an art because it's a game played with your imagination, a science because i think i've mastered it sometimes and a sport because well.. that's kinda obvious.
Etienne wrote: I think it's just a board game, although a very great one.
You're absolutely right. I was being inane, and feel humbled by your sensible answer. Thanks! 
Chess is quite useless. But it is a lot of fun.
epic thread bump
Chess is everything - art, science, and sport. - Karpov
Art is not a mirror of life, but a hammer with which to shape it. - Gorky
All art is quite useless - Wilde
So is chess a mirror, a hammer, or useless?
This thread should be called "mirror, hammer or useless?" (DOH!
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