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Is Chess a sport?

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n/a (67.132.147.194) -

NO, it is not a sport it's more recreational bevcause it's like a hobby.

Reply #1 Fast Eddie (208.155.45.74) -

Ask Mr. Fischer that question. Ask the Government of Iceland too!

Reply #2 Gary Bekker (211.28.252.141) -

The world chess federation, FIDE, is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an International Sports Federation.

A chess exhibition match was staged at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and, at one stage, there were negotiations for chess to be included in the Olympics as a regular demonstration sport.

Every two years, FIDE organises its own Chess Olympiad, modelled on the Olympics, in which teams from around the world compete against each other. New Zealand, PNG and Fiji regularly compete.

There is also an Oceania Chess Championship which is a qualifying event for the World Chess Championship. Leading chess players typically make a full-time income from the game.

I am very keen to hear from any players who would be interested in forming a national chess team to compete in such events in the future. It does not matter if you are not a particularly strong player - it is participation which counts.

Further information about chess in the Oceania region is available from my website, http://www.auschess.org.au/oceania/

I look forward to hearing from you,

Gary Bekker

FIDE Oceania Zone President

gbekker@mira.net

• Oceania Chess Calendar

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