Is chess a sport?

Chess is considered a sport because it involves both physical and mental activity, requiring complex skills and strategies played competitively. Although there isn't a significant physical component to the game itself, chess players need to maintain good physical fitness in order to sustain concentration and focus for long periods of time.

For example, the world chess champion Magnus Carlsen is known for his love of soccer and has mentioned in several interviews that he plays soccer to stay fit and improve his focus and coordination.

Other great chess players, such as Garry Kasparov, have also emphasized the importance of maintaining good physical fitness and have recommended sports and exercise to improve performance in chess.

In summary, although chess is not a sport that requires a great deal of physical activity, many chess champions regularly exercise to stay fit and improve their performance.