Fun or very serious?

Do you prefer to take chess just more fun or an very serious game? I try to make it just more fun, but damn I hate to loose!

I got into playing chess for the fun of it and to help work my aging brain. That being said, I do play to win of course but I do not get upset if I lose since I am just now learning the game. I take the time to learn, even from my losses. Which helps me be a gracious loser.

Why can't it be both?

When i took chess seriously, i didnt enjoy it.  Now that i play for fun, i enjoy it, and learn more.

I think we men have statistically more winning and competition spirit than women - that's why it hurts to loose.

For fun. I don’t like losing but I’m not good enough to lose sleep over it.

I was one of the serious players. Waiting for the latest Chess Informants and theoretical novelty.Now I play all Tal and don't care if my sacrifice is a bust. Just having fun. See my thread. Check out this #chess forum: Stop Improving and start playing (happily) - https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/stop-improving-and-start-playing-happily via @chesscom

For fun, but I plan on studying and taking it more serious. I want to get a respectable rating of around 1800+ in the next few years.

Chess is a game. And games are supposed to be fun. Winning in chess is fun but by trying so hard, studying so hard, analyzing so hard... it takes away the fun. All that winning gets us chess.com ratings and virtual trophies only.

It's all fun and games unless it's your job.

I agree.

fun. I don't have the time to study all different openings and counters. but I find I can enjoy enough by knowing one opening inside out (stonewall) and being able to counter one common attack (queenside castle). the rest of the time I just play instinctively trying to think a few moves ahead to gain an advantage.