"Chess is a foolish expedient for making idle people believe they are doing something very clever, when they are only wasting their time." George Bernard Shaw
Well that's kind of negative! It's a little hard to argue, since it has some truth. But I'll try.
What is life really about? Doing necessary unpleasant chores? Working on a chain gang? Watching TV? Life is about finding joy in living. This doesn't mean never doing less enjoyable tasks, since if things don't get done problems can result. It just means loving to do the special things. So for some of us chess has a mysterious way of bringing joy.
How many chess players are, as a result of frittering away their time playing chess, compelled to pay for their idleness by robbing a bank? Well, no more than those that find other ways of being idle. Idle moments of joy have value, being the reward for doing the moments of tedium.
Therefore, the statement by Mr. Shaw is waaaaay off base. Wasting one's time?? Nay Mr. Shaw! Without chess life would be less joyful. And this is to say nothing of the social value of playing chess. How many friends over the years have met playing chess? Probably many. Everything doesn't have to have a tangible product.
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