OT: is chess a sport?

Peter_Spaeth · #1 01-22-2018, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric72

These days, there are so-called E-sports. This often involves people playing video games...for an audience...with television coverage.

If that qualifies as a �sport� then so, too, would chess.

Just my opinion.

Never were the words truer, "You are all a lost generation."

packs · #2 01-22-2018, 01:38 PM

Boomers created video games.

Anyway, I like that E-sports became a thing. Not everyone is blessed with athletic ability or an athletic body but everyone and anyone can learn how to play a video game. I can't think of a better way to make a living either.

Leon · #3 01-23-2018, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packs

Boomers created video games.

Anyway, I like that E-sports became a thing. Not everyone is blessed with athletic ability or an athletic body but everyone and anyone can learn how to play a video game. I can't think of a better way to make a living either.

Personally I can't stand video games but know I am about the only one that doesn't like them. Chess isn't a sport per se' but it is an intellectual game.

steve B · #4 01-23-2018, 10:24 AM

Does it change anything if Weston took performance enhancing stuff?

"Weston spent 8 years touring Europe, starting in 1876 in England where he challenged England's racewalking champion to a 24-hour, 115 mile ultramarathon. The Englishman quit 14 hours and 65.6 miles into the race, but Weston walked the full 24 hours and covered 109.5 miles. His performance caused a bit of a controversy when he later admitted to having been chewing coca leaf throughout much of the race."
(From his Wikipedia entry)

Also interesting is that the card shows a cross country walk, but it's not mentioned in either his entry, or a list of cross country walkers and runners. But that walk did happen.
https://www.utne.com/community/walki...a-ze0z1503zken

brianp-beme · #5 01-23-2018, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve B

Does it change anything if Weston took performance enhancing stuff?

"Weston spent 8 years touring Europe, starting in 1876 in England where he challenged England's racewalking champion to a 24-hour, 115 mile ultramarathon. The Englishman quit 14 hours and 65.6 miles into the race, but Weston walked the full 24 hours and covered 109.5 miles. His performance caused a bit of a controversy when he later admitted to having been chewing coca leaf throughout much of the race."
(From his Wikipedia entry)

Weston is proof that a person can walk and chew a natural stimulant at the same time.

Brian

Peter_Spaeth · #6 01-23-2018, 10:15 PM

On a related front, is a jockey an athlete? Or a race car driver?

pokerplyr80 · #7 01-24-2018, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

On a related front, is a jockey an athlete? Or a race car driver?

I don't consider chess a sport. I do think horse and car racing are sports, but participating in them doesn't make an athlete. It's hard to say exactly where the line is, but I wouldn't count sports like golf or bowling either among those whose participants should be considered athletes.

MooseDog · #8 01-24-2018, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

On a related front, is a jockey an athlete? Or a race car driver?

I work with jockeys and most definitely yes. If you disagree, try this exercise sometime...balance on your toes and then squat so your body is slightly forward, but you are still not touching the ground with your hands. Now hold this for two full minutes, about the length of the Kentucky Derby.

I'd also give props to drivers, but back in the 1970s their performance on the Superstars show left something to be desired. However I'd guess with advances in nutrition and mental stuff the current crop of drivers is probably in better shape than in the past, like with most things.

tschock · #9 01-31-2018, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

On a related front, is a jockey an athlete? Or a race car driver?

Race car driving is more physically demanding than some of our more 'accepted sports'. So in that regards, I would consider it a sport. Some interesting stats:

http://edition.cnn.com/services/opk/driven/news.htm

oldjudge · #10 03-28-2018, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon

Personally I can't stand video games but know I am about the only one that doesn't like them. Chess isn't a sport per se' but it is an intellectual game.

+1 on both

Frank A · #11 03-28-2018, 11:03 AM

I raced cars for many years and I don't consider it a sport. It's a mental game. Learning how much you can push the car, thinking how can I pass this guy etc. Not very tough on the body, but on the mind.

steve B · #12 01-23-2018, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Never were the words truer, "You are all a lost generation."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN5zw04WxCc

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