The Public, The Media and Chess Players

Asking non playing members of the public to name chess players
usually results in; Fischer, Kasparov and more recently Carlsen though
due to the ongoing cheat scandal Hans Niemann will soon be a top hit.

The media have been snipping from the sidelines but I thought one
I heard about recently was rather good and displayed quick thinking.
A few nights ago on a TV quiz programme a team were asked;

"n which field are Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren are leading personalities?

The team consulted and suggested Artificial Intelligence.
The TV host said;' 'No it's Chess.' then with a grin quickly added ;
'Though I suppose you were not too far out."

@greenpawn34 said
Asking non playing members of the public to name chess players
usually results in; Fischer, Kasparov and more recently Carlsen though
due to the ongoing cheat scandal Hans Niemann will soon be a top hit.

The media have been snipping from the sidelines but I thought one
I heard about recently was rather good and displayed quick thinking.
A few nights ago on a TV ...[text shortened]... ' 'No it's Chess.' then with a grin quickly added ;
'Though I suppose you were not too far out."

Artificial Intelligence and chess seem to have merged a bit, which is not all bad, since the term "intelligence" would seem to lend some credibility to the chess world. I'm not sure what the perception is in Europe, but here in the US (despite the success of our Netflix series of 2 years ago) chess players are still looked upon as just barely "this side" of crazy, and school chess club members are still portrayed as the most nerdish, socially awkward students.

@mchill said
Artificial Intelligence and chess seem to have merged a bit, which is not all bad, since the term "intelligence" would seem to lend some credibility to the chess world. I'm not sure what the perception is in Europe, but here in the US (despite the success of our Netflix series of 2 years ago) chess players are still looked upon as just barely "this side" of crazy, and school chess club members are still portrayed as the most nerdish, socially awkward students.

I agree with both👍

Putting mandatory Chess into schools is beneficial for everyone.
It develops critical thinking and the willingness to try and see ahead no matter the problem.

@kannstipated said
Putting mandatory Chess into schools is beneficial for everyone.
It develops critical thinking and the willingness to try and see ahead no matter the problem.

I agree with that.
It doesn't happen in England but there are chess clubs which youngsters can join.
In school,they tend to be an after school activity

@kannstipated said
Putting mandatory Chess into schools is beneficial for everyone.
It develops critical thinking and the willingness to try and see ahead no matter the problem.

Yes, that would be an excellent idea. It's no secret that student chess players get better grades and have better powers of concentration. The 2 biggest hurdles to this are 1. School district bureaucracy and 2. Disconnecting students from their cell phones they're so connected with they resemble the Borg from Star Trek. 😵