Why do we play chess?

I've been devoting a lot of my time to playing chess. I love the game. But, as i continue to play, i can't help but get the feeling that I am wasting my time. I could be furthering my relationships with friends. studying harder in school, and so many other things. Chess really isn't that productive. Sure you can argue that studies show people who play chess are smarter or whatever, but so does playing an instrument, as well as a number of other things. In reality, what's the difference between constantly playing chess and constantly playing a video game or something useless. Is there really anything better about chess in comparison to things like a video game. Is this all just a hedonistic waste of time?

 

So I'd like to hear your thoughts, as to why many of us spend massive amounts of time playing chess.

Any input is appreciated. This is in no way an attempt to troll, I'm actually curious as to why we view chess as a better hobby and stuff in society. Why don't people say chess is a waste of time?

Ugh i hate chess.com forums,, no one ever sees these

or they don't bother to comment

oh screw off, All i wanted to do what start an intelligible dialogue on the subject

 

Chess is a wast of time, but so are sooo manny other things people do. If friends and relationships are super important to you chess may not be the way to go. I'm not even very good and I can't get a single friend irl to play with me anymore. They would all rather watch moves or whatever. I personally love thinking and chess gets me through my monotonous life.

Keep in mind you're young and developing skills is more important than relationships. You will prolly not know any of the people you know now when you're in your 20's

What did I do? I simply stated why I thought people didn't comment.Sheesh.

You can't really hangout all the time and no one will study all the time for obvious reasons however you can play chess all time anytime

oh, the why junky is back with us once again, been asking oftentimes and there's always some junky ready for an answer, what's up, I thought the church was helping your cause from the start

Only a troll would say that.

You're correct to be concerned about your own chess habits. Chess definitely does not help you further relationships with friends or help you study harder. Both of those things are more important than chess.

There is nothing better about chess than many, not all, video games. Some hames have strategy elements much more complex than those present in chess. Many turn based war and management games such as 4X genre are much more complex than chess, have more variables.

Chess has some merit in that it will allow some players advance to some higher level and win some prizes. That's a maybe because not many out of hundreds of thousands of people even reach 2000 rating. Of those even fewer get chess related jobs.

People who actually view chess as a "better" hobby are wrong. If you like it and if it doesn't interfere with other more important activities then keep playing.

and fools

Well said.

chess IS unproductive, there's not denying that.

 

but you could do much worse in terms of wasting time, with video games.   One of the opportunities you have, if you choose it, is the ability to get extraordinarily good at this game.  to do so will take commitment and dedication.   you may have to talk your family into allowing you to go to distant places to compete.

 

in all this, you commitment to chess will be put to the test.  if you can keep at it- you might be extraordinarily good at this game.

 

most people toil away all their life at many things , and aren't extraordinarily good at anything.  then, its more than an opportunity.   See the vision and reach for it.

 

but Don't like the vision get in the way of something like school- which will define your place in the world, and could pontentially create awful limitations in your adult life.

 

if you think about it;  Excelling in chess is much like Excelling in school.   being methodical, patient, and prepared.

unless you are nuts

Y'all are crazy, video games are just as good for your thought process as chess. Don't know if anyone's heard of MLG but yes you can actually make money playing video games. and if your having fun is it really a wast of time?

Pretty much anybody who thinks video games are a wast of time but things like reading fiction, watching movies, sports and chess are productive, need a better outlook on this wast of time we call life.

On the other hand, Magnus Carlsen is more successful than Pewdiepie (did I spell him correct?)

I always check the "Unanswered Posts" but in your case you have commented yourself.

Because chess is Fire Emblem without weapons and terrain

Magnus is also a model, so yes I would guess he probably has more financial success than an Internet comedian that to my knowledge doesn't have a second job.

One could argue that playing an instrument is equally useless unless you turn professional. Or painting. Or reading novels. Or watching sports.