Is chess a game for nerds? • page 3/3 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

Yes.

My old neighbor and his wife came to see me recently. When I told them I was playing chess online, my neighbor told me you had to be a nerd to play that game. I started playing chess because it's a great pastime. I don't consider myself a nerd; the only thing that might seem like it is that I had a career in programming computers and elaborate computer systems where logic is a necessary skill.

"What do you care what other people think ?" ( as the title of Richard Feynman's most famous book says )

"Nerd" is just a word, what matters is the substance of things. You can decide for yourself whether the time you spend playing online is well spent or not.

@gilligan841 said in #1: > My old neighbor and his wife came to see me recently. When I told them I was playing chess online, my neighbor told me you had to be a nerd to play that game. I started playing chess because it's a great pastime. I don't consider myself a nerd; the only thing that might seem like it is that I had a career in programming computers and elaborate computer systems where logic is a necessary skill. "What do you care what other people think ?" ( as the title of Richard Feynman's most famous book says ) "Nerd" is just a word, what matters is the substance of things. You can decide for yourself whether the time you spend playing online is well spent or not.

ExpertInChess

#23

@Hagredion said in #10:

No, no even if you played football and are athletic once you've played chess you become a nerd. There is no escape ;)
That's a wrong ideology. Even if you play chess and are also on very high rating, you are never a nerd. You can be a nerd but not always every chess player is a nerd

@Hagredion said in #10: > No, no even if you played football and are athletic once you've played chess you become a nerd. There is no escape ;) That's a wrong ideology. Even if you play chess and are also on very high rating, you are never a nerd. You can be a nerd but not always every chess player is a nerd

gilligan841

#24

@a_Tauri said in #22:

"What do you care what other people think ?" ( as the title of Richard Feynman's most famous book says )

Maybe I should have mentionned that this sentence by my neighbor was totally respectful meaning that a chess player has to be intelligent to succeed in this game rather than sociopath or anything that might seem negative.

@a_Tauri said in #22: > "What do you care what other people think ?" ( as the title of Richard Feynman's most famous book says ) > Maybe I should have mentionned that this sentence by my neighbor was totally respectful meaning that a chess player has to be intelligent to succeed in this game rather than sociopath or anything that might seem negative.

No.

Nerd in the best sense of the term! Curious, thoughtful, intelligent, and logical. But also competitive, focused, aggressive, and passionate. To say nothing of sneaky, duplicitous, sly, and underhanded. All good qualities from where I stand.

james671

#27

No way-chess isn’t just for nerds. It’s for anyone who likes using their brain and enjoys a good challenge. You don’t need to be super smart-just curious. With your programming background, it actually makes sense you’d enjoy it. Sounds like your neighbor was just teasing. Keep playing!