| − | '''Chess''' is an intellectually challenging [[board game|game]] of [[chivalry]] between two players. Based purely on skill without any element of chance, chess has long been one of the most popular games in the world, and today chess is played by upwards of 800 million people worldwide. On Feb. 2, 2023, chess .com was the #1 free app on iOS in 28 countries. Chess sharpens the mind, improves decision-making skills, helps overcome [[addiction]] and procrastination, drives out [[anxiety]], and builds character. Promoters of chess include [[Benjamin Franklin]],<ref>https://phillybowtietours.wordpress.com/2017/02/08/benjamin-franklin-and-chess/</ref> [[Thomas Jefferson]], actors [[Humphrey Bogart]] and [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], actress [[Marilyn Monroe]], and movie producer Stanley Kubrick.<ref>https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2010/04/05/playing-chess-with-kubrick/</ref> Rock stars who were good chess players include the blind [[Ray Charles]] and Willie Nelson. ''See [[:category:Chess Players|Chess Players]]''. | + | '''Chess''' is an intellectually challenging [[board game|game]] of [[chivalry]] between two players. Based purely on skill without any element of chance, chess has long been one of the most popular games in the world, and today chess is played by upwards of 800 million people worldwide. On Feb. 2, 2023, chess.com was the #1 free app on iOS in 28 countries. Chess sharpens the mind, improves decision-making skills, helps overcome [[addiction]] and procrastination, drives out [[anxiety]], and builds character. Promoters of chess include [[Benjamin Franklin]],<ref>https://phillybowtietours.wordpress.com/2017/02/08/benjamin-franklin-and-chess/</ref> [[Thomas Jefferson]], actors [[Humphrey Bogart]] and [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], actress [[Marilyn Monroe]], and movie producer Stanley Kubrick.<ref>https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2010/04/05/playing-chess-with-kubrick/</ref> Rock stars who were good chess players include the blind [[Ray Charles]] and Willie Nelson. ''See [[:category:Chess Players|Chess Players]]''. |
| | Chess can be helpful in overcoming addictions exploiting images or patterns, including [[pornography]], [[gambling]], [[video games]], and [[Unplug the NFL|televised football]]. Chess fills the mind with a healthy activity while reinforcing the devastating consequences ("checkmate") of bad decisions.<ref>https://chessimprover.com/chess-and-addiction/</ref> Temerity is punished in chess, as is timorousness. Chess seems to fend off obesity, unlike unhealthy hobbies; almost no top chess players are obese despite the game's sedentary nature. | | Chess can be helpful in overcoming addictions exploiting images or patterns, including [[pornography]], [[gambling]], [[video games]], and [[Unplug the NFL|televised football]]. Chess fills the mind with a healthy activity while reinforcing the devastating consequences ("checkmate") of bad decisions.<ref>https://chessimprover.com/chess-and-addiction/</ref> Temerity is punished in chess, as is timorousness. Chess seems to fend off obesity, unlike unhealthy hobbies; almost no top chess players are obese despite the game's sedentary nature. |