Just a thought

[johann cruyff]

So,I was thinking about this the other day: people interested in,let's say,literature or philosophy,are usually interested in other forms of art as well,and it's not strange for them to know a lot about visual arts,music,film etc. - anyway,it is the mark of a true erudite,polyhistor,polymath,whatever you may call it.

But,there is one more thing that such people are usually very interested in,and it's not considered art - chess.I,myself,would always think of chess as a form of art rather than a sport - and indeed,those of you who are well versed in chess are quite aware of the beauty of a well played chess miniature,sacrifice,prophylactic move...I'd even call it poetic beauty.

So why isn't it held in higher regard?I understand that the main idea of art is expressing yourself,and/or commenting upon certain things - but it's also food for thought,a tool for broadening your mind,and chess is definitely that.

So,your thoughts?

[kiki1982]

Sorry, I can't play chess... It's too strategic and asks too much study to be able to play it properly. On the other hand I like games. Also strategic games.

As for other arts, I like modern art as well as classical art. I like folk music and classical music, jazz, beatles and other retro music. Not so much modern music (rock, metal, jump, techno etc...). I like dancing. I like playing music.

My father is the same, and likes to read, doesn't like to play music, but can play chess... :p :lol: My mother is a musician, but can't play chess.:)

Maybe you're right... I didn't think about that, but maybe you have a point...:idea: Maybe it's gentically defined.:D

[Koa]

Can't play chess, no one in my close family can so no one ever taught me, have no clue how it works.
My family is not intellectual though ;)

Chess seems to be very popular in Eastern European country though, and I don't think it's only among the well-read.

[Dori]

I like chess. :) I'm not very good at it, but I still like it.

[sprinks]

One of my friends taught me years ago and I enjoyed it... Even though I struggled to remember which way and how far each piece could move. I'd willingly learn it again when I have the time.

[crisaor]

So why isn't it held in higher regard?I understand that the main idea of art is expressing yourself,and/or commenting upon certain things - but it's also food for thought,a tool for broadening your mind,and chess is definitely that.
Because people who are crap at it (like me) play it, and it's not a pretty sight nor a meaningful experience ("damn, I lost again" or "I won, so he/she must be crap" come to mind).

It might be called poetic beauty when played by some of the discipline greats, but in that case, it's the particular way of playing it that has that magic quality, not the game itself.

Or, I just don't like it as much as some of the other arts you mentioned, and thus I fail to grasp its true essence.

Take your pick. :D

[aabbcc]

I can play chess, but I am not particularly good at it (any more, at least... I was better when I was a kid :D). I never thought about the chess as the form of art, though - I tended to connect it more to tactic and mathematical way of thinking than to the artistic expression. Or maybe it is just the influence of my father, who presented it that way to me when I was a child.

[V.Jayalakshmi]

Dear Members,
Why Chess?Why not Literati?:)I play Literati building words.Words,words are my world.

Play with words here and there,

You win ,you lose but you will always gain,

Beautiful words,ugly meaning,loving words,

Unloving deeds,a world within us.

[Erichtho]

I can't play chess anymore. I used to play it with passion when I was a child, but at some point I gave it up and now I only play it a few times per year, if at all. I always thought of chess as sport, though, never as a form of art.

[johann cruyff]

Well,as I've said,I understand that art is 99% artistic expression of yourself,and looking from that perspective,no,it's not really art,since the game is the same for everyone.

Nevertheless,there is a very special form of beauty encapsulated in every set-up chessboard,and yet,very few are able to release that beauty - isn't that,in a way,similar to,let's say,a piano player?The piano is there,it's exactly the same for every one of us,but not everyone will make the others cheer "art! art!" in delight.

Chess itself isn't art,playing chess well may just be.