Chess does attract many types of people, some of them very weird, yes. I'm a "student-athlete," and I love the game because of its mathematical value and problem solving atmosphere. Others in my chess club include the geeky types, skaters, and a few mathy-type people. It just depends on who lives in your area and who has an interest in the game. There are some serious chess players out there who spend their whole life playing chess. They don't have good jobs or families, they just play chess. I guess those may be the smelly guys lurking in the hallways at tournaments. Many, many people of varying personality types play this game, that's why it's lasted for as long as it has.
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Originally posted by buffalobillPretty similar for me. And may I add that I have a chess-player's physique, which I come by naturally. No steroids or anything like that. I have been feeling the urge of late to wear my Microsoft T-shirt with my plaid shorts, black socks, and sandals. To each his own, I guess.
... At least that's my story - played like crazy as a nerdy kid, dabbled with it over the years and now only playing again in my mid-late 40s. When I get really old, I plan to fly kites, wear old clothes, not wash and teach nerdy kids some chess lessons. 🙄
Originally posted by smartmidget89But that's the point. They are almost all weird. The chess crowd is not representative of society at all - it is representative of social misfits. But what is it about the game that attracts these weird guys.
Chess does attract many types of people, some of them very weird, yes.
Originally posted by RookRAKI have to say that not only do I buy this concept wholesale but I think it is very eloquently put. Thank you for thinking about this and giving such a convincing answer.
I think it's just a general fact of nature.
There are so many dimensions to people; we all are strong in some, weak in others, clueless in a few. Social awareness has always been something that generally (I know there are many exceptions) is not strongly linked to people with strong analytical minds. People who would likely to be interested in chess, and ...[text shortened]... to be solved.
-- Just another smelly old nerd
(OK not smelly - I have basic hygeine down)