Why people play chess with themselves?

I have seen in many movies and tv that characters play chess with themselves. Do people do this in real life? What can be there possible reason to play themselves?

I was watching "House of Cards" and Kevin Spacey is playing chess with himself in that show.

See how he has used some tactic to win white's rook and 2 pawns. lol

Simply playing a game against yourself doesn't make a lot of sense, but playing out a key position you're interested in studying does -- think of it more as a standalone analysis board than a game.

Why does anybody play with himself or herself ? It gives you pleasure. May not be the real thing, but in times of need you do the deed. (That's my own phrase, just thought it up)

by playing against yourself you may be able to find out where you are weak since you know how to attack yourself if that makes sense.

sorry for the poor english.

*its himself or herself actually.

themselves is ok. 

Speak for yourselves.

furthermore since you just looked at the position from one side. you discover what you tend to overlook or blunder.

since you now look at the chessboard from another angle.

the best thing is to force youself to spent time on the positions on both sides. at least 5 minutes on both sides.

Bobby Fischer used to do this regularly when he was starting out, apparently he ran out of competition and was forced to play against himself until he got a decent opponent. : )

When people are alone and bored, many would do many weird things, like talking with oneself, or playing chess, poker with oneself. I think that's normal. What's really weird, abnormal is when they talk, play with oneself in other's presence.

Cos you always win ;-)

I've tried this once or twice and found it very frustrating. If you play honestly on both sides, you may find it to be a very intense struggle. I could see how this improves one's chess game. It forces you to out-think and outplay "yourself."

Hello, I recently saw "House Of Cards" and Kevin Spacey isn´t playing with himself, if you see carefully he´s playing against a Mephisto Chess Machine, you can see one here: http://www.classicchessandgames.com/MephistoExclusiveSenatorChessComputerModelCT08.htm

Why does anyone play with themself?

It's a way to pass the time when you can't play with others.