Chess, with additional tournament rules, should be an Olympic sport.

The game of chess, with a few additional tournament rules, should be an Olympic sport. Introduction: Chess is unlike many games played. The element of chance does not exist. No dice rolls, no hidden cards, just the pieces in the same starting position every time. Any lost position is the fault of the player, not a lucky dice roll, or malfunctioning equipment. In addition, no absolute win has been found. The starting player does not have a set of moves that guarantee victory. Concessions: 1. I fully agree the Olympic committee has rejected "mind games" from contention for Olympic sports. They are mistaken, but I know this has come up in the past. http://www.time.com... 2. I am fully aware that a Chess Olympiad takes place outside of the official Olympic Games. This resolution deals with the official Olympics Games, not the separate Olympiad. Additional Rules: 1.Once the first piece is moved, neither player may leave the board except for two 15 minute time outs. Leaving your area is a forfeit. 2.The lighting, boards, pieces, clocks must be identical and no player input will be accepted concerning these areas. 3.Players must be able to move their own pieces without the aide of others or mechanical devices. 4.Computer programs cannot compete. 5.No eating, smoking, or drinking at the board. All outside activities must occur in the 15 minute break periods. 6.The time limit will be universal (40 moves in 100 minutes, 20 moves in 50 minutes, 10 minutes for the remainder of the game with an increment of 30 seconds.) 7.Players must play two games in one day. One as black and one a white in a round robin style tournament. Each player plays as white and black against each opponent and draws as black will be awarded more points in the case of a tie. 8.Other rules will be governed by the Olympic Committee, but for this debate the FIDE rules, except when different from the above rules, will be used. http://www.fide.com... Sport: a. Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. b. A particular form of this activity. 2. An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively. 3. An active pastime; recreation. http://www.thefreedictionary.com... Argument: Chess is governed by a set of rules or customs and is often engaged in competitively. With the additional rules provided, chess can fall within a physical activity. Endurance is a physical trait. Currently, Grand Master games can be postponed and sealed moves kept so players can leave the board and sleep, eat, etc. Under the rules I listed such activities at the board would be eliminated. Players would have to train to maintain mental awareness with physical stamina while at the board and must be able to write down their moves and move their own pieces. The coordination between thinking about a move and moving the correct piece legally after several hours of play will require endurance and stamina. Chess, under these rules, is a sport. Differentiating other games: Bridge – This game has also made a bid for inclusion, but chance plays a role as cards are hidden and shuffled. Chess has no element of chance. Checkers – This game has been solved. http://spectrum.ieee.org... Chess, despite countless computer programs has not been solved and humans can beat computers. Why the Olympics: The Olympics could help settle controversies surrounding multiple chess champions from competing organizations and the political pull of the Olympics could bring chess to countries that refuse to fund the sport. Also, the level of publicity concerning the Olympics would help bring recognition to the champions of this ancient sport. The mind game Olympics, although a great concept, cannot boast the history and prestige of the Official Olympic Games. Current trends make getting Grand Masters to compete can be washed away with a standardized set of rules in one of the biggest sports extravaganza in the world. Chess should be an Olympic sport.