Abstract
Chess is a competitive sport in the classical meaning of the word. One of the most important factors for chess and sport competence is the accumulated time of training. In order to obtain a high level of competence, chess players and athletes alike must spend up 10 years of specific training. In chess and classical sport energy needed for brain activity is first derived from glycogen stores in brain, muscles and liver and later from adipose tissue. Both, chess and classical sport rely on shared energy from glycogen and fat. When the brain needs additional energy, muscles and liver share energy with the brain. When muscles need additional energy, brain complies with the request of muscles. Energy expenditure, O2 uptake and CO2 production during chess games are similar to those obtained during a marathon. Mental and physical fatigue begin with similar metabolic states: deprivation of glycogen. During competitive chess, athletes must be in good physical condition. Mental profiles of chess players and other athletes correlate with processes such as attention, conflict control, memory, motivation and recognition. In chess there exists no gender-specific excellence; glycogen availability, however, is less developed in female chess players. In chess and in classical sports, the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles cooperate in complete harmony. The brain commands everything: in chess the figures, in sport the cellular receptors (baro-, lactate-, gluco-, metabo-, chemo-, thermo-, respiratory-) “send” signals via eyes or metabolic changes to the brain. The brain then decides, what to do: in chess, the player moves a figure; in sports, muscles react according to demand. Physical exercise or chess must be defined by a motor activity completely controlled by the central nervous system (CNS) in combination with a specific competence. In chess as well as in physical exercise, physical stress prepares brain to cognitive stimulation. With respect to biochemical, physiological, neuronal and psychological aspects, chess is equals classical physical exercise and must be recognized as sport.
Highlights
Classical definition of sport The DOSB expresses in its preamble: “The exercise of sport must have to its own end a specific motor activity depending on the kind of sport
In spring 2014, the DOSB cancelled the financial support of the DSB with the argument, that chess as a mental game does not have as a purpose its own motor activity
In addition to inducing contractions, central nervous system (CNS) monitors the performance of muscles: Sensory receptors located in muscles, tendons, and joints in conjunction with afferent neurons, i.e. barosensors, chemosensors, metabosensors, thermosensors, respiratory sensors [10] send feedback information in form of action potentials to the CNS concerning muscle length, limb position, rate of movement, and contraction tension
Summary
Classical definition of sport The DOSB (national sports organization of Germany) expresses in its preamble: “The exercise of sport must have to its own end a specific motor activity depending on the kind of sport. In addition to inducing contractions, CNS monitors the performance of muscles: Sensory receptors located in muscles, tendons, and joints in conjunction with afferent neurons, i.e. barosensors, chemosensors, metabosensors, thermosensors, respiratory sensors [10] send feedback information in form of action potentials to the CNS concerning muscle length, limb position, rate of movement, and contraction tension This permits stimulation of maximally 18x106 muscle fibres to be continuously and appropriately modified so that the actual performance matches the intended performance. They pick up task-relevant information to predict the best options available to the athlete When compared with their less-skilled counterparts, adult experts are better at anticipating opponents intentions based on partial information or advance cues, and can more consistently pick up the minimal essential information needed for successful anticipation. It is most effective when combined with physical practice [29]
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