Why do people take chess so seriously?

[Hood]

Game can not be stupid or wise.

I mean it's just a rather stupid game.

People really spend a lot of money on this game. I mean people buy very expensive computer hardware and quite expensive programs just to be able to defeat others at chess.

But when you think about it, why spend tons of money on a game?

[krusher]

I mean it's just a rather stupid game.

People really spend a lot of money on this game. I mean people buy very expensive computer hardware and quite expensive programs just to be able to defeat others at chess.

But when you think about it, why spend tons of money on a game?

Are you 12 years old? You have got a Quad-core with 2GB of RAM dedicated to chess, I don't. However only a 12 year old would come and post in the manner you have.

[styx]

“The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

if you can do what you love and does not hurt anybody, then do it without questioning it. at the end, happiness is all that matters

[ZirconiumX]

I mean it's just a rather stupid game.

People really spend a lot of money on this game. I mean people buy very expensive computer hardware and quite expensive programs just to be able to defeat others at chess.

But when you think about it, why spend tons of money on a game?

Are you 12 years old? You have got a Quad-core with 2GB of RAM dedicated to chess, I don't. However only a 12 year old would come and post in the manner you have.

Unfortunately, the only 12 year old on the forum became 13 on the 5th.

I play chess because I enjoy the sense of victory when I spot the (rather obvious) blunder of my opponent.

Matthew:out

[Adam Hair]

Chess is too addictive and this is why I think the game is not good for your health is you take it too seriously. Chess is very addictive because you always want to play better and you are always curious about how the game will look like at perfect-play level. It is the curiosity which is addictive.

There was an article on this in Chessbase discussing addiction to the game and why it's unhealthy for you.

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=7761

Also constantly playing chess has been known to mess up people's lives. I'm not sure, but I'll bet the divorce rate among addicted chess players is pretty high. It might be worth it to check on the statistics on this form of addiction and it's affect on marriage.

Some addicted chess players suffer almost a mental breakdown when they lose a game of chess. They spend unlimited hours analyzing the game and lose sleep trying to figure out where they went wrong.

http://www.chess-sets-and-more.com/chess-addiction.html

Addicted chess players would find something else to be addicted to if chess did not exist.

[Uri]

There is too much elitism and corruption in the chess world because many people are now turning chess into a big business and are hoping to make huge profits from their software.

This creates a social hierarchy where only the most intelligent or the superwealthy people can enjoy chess at the highest levels possible while those who are not smart enough or not rich enough will never be able to improve their game and really enjoy chess.

[Houdini]

There is too much elitism and corruption in the chess world because many people are now turning chess into a big business and are hoping to make huge profits from their software.

This creates a social hierarchy where only the most intelligent or the superwealthy people can enjoy chess at the highest levels possible while those who are not smart enough or not rich enough will never be able to improve their game and really enjoy chess.

Even the poorest chess fans have access to awesome FREE engines like Stockfish 2.3 and Houdini 1.5.
Of course you need a computer and internet...

Robert

[S.Taylor]

Chess is too addictive and this is why I think the game is not good for your health is you take it too seriously. Chess is very addictive because you always want to play better and you are always curious about how the game will look like at perfect-play level. It is the curiosity which is addictive.

There was an article on this in Chessbase discussing addiction to the game and why it's unhealthy for you.

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=7761

Also constantly playing chess has been known to mess up people's lives. I'm not sure, but I'll bet the divorce rate among addicted chess players is pretty high. It might be worth it to check on the statistics on this form of addiction and it's affect on marriage.

Some addicted chess players suffer almost a mental breakdown when they lose a game of chess. They spend unlimited hours analyzing the game and lose sleep trying to figure out where they went wrong.

http://www.chess-sets-and-more.com/chess-addiction.html

Uri, i will agree with you on one condition (and very sincerely so!), if you wish to learn torah instead.
This, is a billion times greater.

[Uri]

Even the poorest chess fans have access to awesome FREE engines like Stockfish 2.3 and Houdini 1.5.
Of course you need a computer and internet...

Robert

You also need a good GUI. Arena is free but is not so good compared to the commercial Fritz and Aquarium GUI.

[Houdini]

Even the poorest chess fans have access to awesome FREE engines like Stockfish 2.3 and Houdini 1.5.
Of course you need a computer and internet...

Robert

You also need a good GUI. Arena is free but is not so good compared to the commercial Fritz and Aquarium GUI.

Oh, now it's Arena (or Winboard, or SCID, or...) that isn't good enough...

Do you know any other hobby where the absolute best in the world is so affordable, and where so much awesome free stuff is available?

Robert