Soft but addictive

I learned to play chess when I was in elementary school. It’s said to be a game, but it’s also considered a sport. Either way, those who practice it help their minds develop better—at least in theory.

Nowadays, chess is played much more than before, especially on online platforms. The pandemic greatly contributed to this phenomenon, and I think it’s positive that so many people became interested in learning. I myself have a friend who now lives in Spain, and during that period he learned, improved, and eventually played at the same level as me. It only took him three months.

There are multiple ways to play depending on the time given to both players. One that I consider very dangerous is fast games, especially bullet and blitz.

I’ve suffered from chess addiction. I say it jokingly, but at the same time as seriously as possible. Playing online games of 1, 3, or 5 minutes, I’ve sunk hours that I can’t get back. Staying up late isn’t funny and I don’t like it, but since it’s just a 5‑minute game, I press the button to play another opponent again.

It happens more often, obviously, when playing online, because I can instantly play one game after another. Playing physically is a bit less harmful, since I have to wait my turn, especially when there are so many friends for just one board.

Either way, the images of moves and variations stay in my head afterward. Sometimes it gets annoying, but I can’t stop thinking about chess. That’s why from time to time I delete or uninstall the apps to avoid temptation. Then some news comes along, like the upcoming World Championship between Gukesh and a new star named Singarov, and I get the urge again.

Instant chess is a problem. Like me, I’m sure there are quite a few others, and I know because I see several users on the platforms playing a handful of fast games every day of the week. Screen addiction, internet addiction, chess addiction. I never thought “addiction” and “chess” could be in the same sentence.

Apparently, anything—even something good—can make you addicted. Maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but I think we need to take in moderation those things we enjoy doing, because even if they seem harmless, they’re taking away time from other things.

_{English isn't my native language. Text translated with DeepL}