Is Chess an Olympic Sport? Why or Why Not

The number of people who play chess worldwide is estimated to be over 600 million. Yet despite the game's longstanding history and popularity, it’s hard to believe that it is still not considered an official Olympic Sport.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has labeled chess as a sport and recognizes FIDE as an official federation. However, it is not approved for the Olympics. One reason is that chess does not involve physical exertion or athleticism in the same way as traditional Olympic sports. However, let's look a little deeper into the reasons behind excluding chess.

What Makes a Sport an Olympic Sport?

A sport or game becoming an Olympic sport is a big deal, but it's a selective process. Here's how it works:

First, a sport needs recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This means a global organization must oversee the sport's rules and competitions (for chess, that could mean things such as deciding chess clock rules and standard board sizes).

Once recognized, the sport moves to International Sports Federation (IF) status. The organization in charge of the sport has to follow anti-doping rules and ensure fair play.

However, just being recognized doesn't guarantee a spot in the Olympics.

The sport's federation must also apply and meet certain criteria to join the Olympics. The IOC then decides whether to include it as a sport, a discipline (a branch of a sport), or an event (a specific competition within a discipline).

There are rules to follow, though.

• The sport must be widely practiced across different countries and continents.
• It must add value to the Olympics while respecting tradition.
• Some types of sports, like purely mental games or those relying on machines, aren't allowed.

Therefore, while many sports organizations would love to see their sport in the Olympics, only a few make the cut, based on strict criteria set by the IOC.

The Definition of a Sport

According to the Oxford Dictionary, a sport is “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” If we consider this definition in relation to chess, then chess is a game consisting purely of strategy and mind tactics, which clashes with the traditional definition of a "sport."

Some argue that chess should be included because it's mentally challenging, requiring strategic thinking and skill, just like physical sports require athleticism. They believe that chess players train hard and compete fiercely, similar to athletes in traditional sports.

The Reasons For Exclusion

Aside from the physical exertion factor, here are some of the reasons why chess is not considered an Olympic sport:

Historical Exclusion of Board Games

Throughout history, the Olympic Games have accepted sports that involve physical activity. Board games, on the other hand, have never been included in the roster of Olympic events.

While chess is often considered a "mind sport" due to its mental challenges and competitive nature, it is fundamentally still a board game. It has two or more players, a chessboard, and chess pieces, which are moved according to specific rules and strategies. Olympic regulations have always considered it a board game, and this is unlikely to change anytime soon.

Doping and Regulation Challenges

Enforcing anti-doping rules in chess, which relies completely on mental capabilities, presents some tricky challenges. Unlike in physical sports, where doping might boost strength or speed, in chess, it's more about enhancing brain power, like improving concentration or decision-making.

One problem is spotting substances that could give players an unfair mental edge. It's not always easy to tell what a harmless medication is and what a sneaky performance enhancer is. Plus, the effects of doping on chess players might not be obvious. It's harder to see if someone's getting an unfair mental boost.

The Chess Olympiad: A Premier Global Competition

Just because chess players don’t get a chance to compete in the Olympics doesn't mean they will stop hosting international events that are exclusive to the community. One such tournament organized by the FIDE is The Chess Olympiad, the Olympics of the chess world where the greatest minds come together to rule the chess board. Just like in the Olympics, players represent their countries, aiming for both individual and team success. Whether you're a beginner or a grandmaster, you can be part of this exciting event. 

Similar to the Olympics, the Chess Olympiad promotes sportsmanship, teamwork, and friendly competition. It's a chance for players to meet and learn from others, regardless of their background.

The Future of Chess in Olympic Sports

The World Chess Federation (FIDE) has been advocating for chess to be included as an Olympic sport for years. Attempts in 1924 failed due to complications in differentiating between amateur and professional players (a requirement at the time for Olympic participation). However, with the removal of this criterion, FIDE upped its efforts.

Since 2006, chess has been recognized in the Asian Games, the second-largest multi-sport event globally, organized by the Olympic Council of Asia and endorsed by the IOC. It's categorized under board games alongside weiqi (go) and xiangqi (Chinese chess).

In a significant step towards recognition, chess was featured in the inaugural IOC Olympic Esports Week in Singapore. This event saw a Russian-born player representing Serbia emerge as the overall winner among 42,000 online participants from 219 countries.

Wrapping Up

Chess has not been considered for the Olympic games for some time now. The chess community is still hopeful that the game might get the recognition it deserves in the future Olympics. FIDE is positioning chess as a mainstream sport deserving of Olympic recognition. In the meanwhile, chess enthusiasts will have to keep hoping and embrace the tournaments and events that are already there.

To help you prepare yourself for the possibility and get your own training in, you might want to consider some books from The House of Staunton. Similarly, getting a tournament-ready chess set might help you get in the game and know what dimensions to expect. Whatever the case, we hope you know where you stand on the issue and can enjoy your next event regardless!

FAQs

Q1. Will chess ever be an Olympic sport?

Considering the efforts made by FIDE to make chess an Olympic sport, there is a possibility that the game will get the recognition it deserves.

Q2. Is the Chess Olympiad the same as the Olympic Games?

No, the Chess Olympiad is not the same as the Olympic Games. The Chess Olympiad is a biennial international tournament that brings together teams of chess players from around the world. While it is a prestigious event in the chess community, it is not part of the Olympic Games.

Q3. Has chess been included in any other major multi-sport games?

Yes, chess has been accepted into the Asian Games, the world's second-biggest multi-sport games, which is organized by the Olympic Council of Asia and recognized by the International Olympic Committee.