Exploring the Connection Between Chess and the Olympic Games

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics have captured the attention of sports fans worldwide, but one notable absence from the event is the inclusion of chess. Despite not being a part of the official Olympic program, chess has strong connections to the games through various athletes who are passionate about the game.

One such athlete is Carlos Alcaraz, a Spanish tennis player competing in his first Olympic Games. Alcaraz, who was introduced to chess by his grandfather as a child, sees similarities between the strategic thinking required in chess and on the tennis court. His love for the game has helped him improve his mental agility and concentration, skills that have translated into his success on the tennis court.

Another athlete with a love for chess is Giannis Antetokounmpo, a professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks representing Greece in Paris 2024. Antetokounmpo took up chess as a way to challenge his mind and distract himself from basketball, although he admits he often finds himself thinking about the sport even while playing chess.

Jakob Schubert, an Austrian professional rock climber, is also an avid chess fan. Schubert, a four-time World Champion in climbing, sees the analytical and logical thinking required in chess as beneficial to his climbing skills. His admiration for chess led him to meet world champion Magnus Carlsen at the European Club Cup, where they discussed their shared love for both sports.

Despite the strong connections between chess and athletes at the Olympics, the game has not yet been included in the official Olympic program. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes chess as a sport, but it has not met the criteria for inclusion in the games due to its classification as a board game rather than a physical sport.

While efforts have been made to include chess in the Olympics, the game’s unique characteristics have presented challenges for its inclusion. However, the Chess Olympiad, a prestigious biennial tournament organized by FIDE, provides a platform for the world’s best players to compete on a global stage and represent their countries.

As the debate over chess’s inclusion in the Olympics continues, fans of the game remain hopeful that it will receive the recognition it deserves. In the meantime, the Chess Olympiad continues to showcase the best of the game and provide a thrilling competition for players and fans alike.