If we were asked to name one sport, chess probably wouldn’t be on the list. However, this strategy game has achieved the same status as football, the Rugby or basketball. Read on to learn more about this discipline and why it’s a sport.
Sports are those physical activities or exercises which have regulations and in which a test of skill, dexterity or physical strength is made. They don’t necessarily have to be competitive, although it is the most common.
In the case of chess, the debates are about whether there is physical activity in the game. Although it exists, but it manifests itself differently than in other disciplines. Chess is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)of the International Chess Federation (FIDE, according to its acronym in French) and of most countries.
Find out why chess is recognized as a sport
According to the most accredited version, Chess originated in India or a nearby regionwhere they called him chaturanga OR army game. It then spread to China, Russia, Persia and various European countries. The word in Spanish comes from a deformation of shatranj, which is the ancient Persian name of the game.
Chess is a board game in which two opponents face each other. A game board with 64 alternately arranged black and white squares and 16 pieces for each player is used.
he is winner which manages to mate the opponent’s king. Each match requires great concentration and generates a very important emotional and physical load. Next we will look at some key points that make chess a sport.
1. It is regulated and structured
The World Chess Championship has been held since 1886, long before football, hockey, Rugby, cycling, judo, volleyball or basketball. Also, it has the logical rules of the game, a penalty system for violating the code of ethics and the anti-doping policy imposed by the IOC is used.
2. It’s competitive
Each match is a duel that can last many hours or even days. There can be matches of maximum tension in which nerves, concentration, strategy and the various skills of the athletes play a fundamental role.
In chess it is very likely that the one who makes a mistake loses. So there’s almost no margin for error.
That is to say, before any movement there is a great responsibility which generates an important physical and psychological load. In most sports, success can also be achieved when several mistakes are made or the opponent is superior in most of the event.
3. Mental effort and physical preparation
It is a strategy game where the concentration and extension of the clearances can generate great wear. The difference with other sports is that effort and tiredness manifest themselves differently.
Professional players do conditioning before major competitions and have teams of professionals who support them, such as coaches or consultants, nutritionists and psychologists. On the other hand, the a the study showed that practicing chess improves cognition, mood, and quality of life.
4. It has international recognition
Chess has been recognized as a sport by the IOC in June 1999. However, FIDE is still bidding for inclusion in the Olympic Games.
So far, the exhibition games have only been held in a few events since 2004. The request for his inclusion in the Paris 2024 Games would not be taken into consideration, as it is not an athletic practice.
Reaching it in the future, perhaps, would be the final battle so that there are no more doubts. Moreover, Chess is approved by more than 100 countries. For example, 24 of the 28 European Union countries admit it as such, with the exception of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium and Ireland.
The benefits of playing chess
Playing chess brings us great benefits, especially for the brain. It’s a game that it requires planning, concentration and memorytherefore it is the ideal sport to exercise the mind.
A study conducted in China established that professional chess experience modulates whole-brain homogeneity and functional connectivity patterns, as well as, in the long term, can improve semantic and episodic processing, visual-motor processing efficiency, and performance. cognitive ability.
Here are some benefits of your continued practice:
- Improve concentration.
- Encourage creativity.
- Train your memory.
- Improve the ability to work in stressful situations.
- It would help prevent Alzheimer’s.
Learn chess and play sports!
Chess allows us to work and develop the brain. Also, it’s a fun game that can be played by people of all ages.
In many cases, it also serves as therapy, especially for the elderly. It is an absolutely recommended game for children, as it helps them improve concentration, develop thinking and also promote social relationships. Learn to play chess and you will also play sports!
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