Make chess an Olympic discipline starting in 2028

The board received the below request – which we endorse and fully support

To the International Olympic Committee (IOC) To the Organizing Committee of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles
I respectfully urge the International Olympic Committee and the Organizing Committee of the 2028 Olympic Games to include chess as an official Olympic discipline in the competition program.
Chess fully meets all the requirements of a modern Olympic sport: it is global, performance-based, mentally and physically demanding, accessible and exciting for spectators, built on fairness and clarity of rules, and boasts a long-standing international tradition of organized competition.

1. Chess is a True Sport – in the Best Sense

• Performance is everything: In chess, only those who play intelligently, stay highly focused, plan tactically, calculate variations instantly, and demonstrate deep positional understanding can win.
• Talent and training matter: Success in chess is the result of years of disciplined, structured training – just like in fencing, gymnastics, or swimming. Amateurs have no chance at the elite level.
• Mistakes are punished instantly – especially in fast-paced formats like blitz and rapid chess, where even a moment’s lapse in concentration can decide the outcome.
• Mental resilience is key – chess requires psychological strength to remain composed under pressure and time constraints.

2. Chess Requires Physical and Mental Effort

• Chess is physically demanding: Classical games can last between 4 to 6 hours, requiring sustained, uninterrupted focus and endurance.
• Scientific studies confirm: Depending on stress levels, players can burn hundreds to over 1,000 calories during high-level games due to mental strain, elevated heart rates, and muscle tension.
• Endurance matters: Competing across multiple rounds demands physical stamina and mental fitness – attributes that clearly qualify as sporting performance.

3. Chess is a Global Mass Sport

• Universal knowledge: An estimated 600 million people around the world know the basic rules of chess – that’s nearly one in ten people globally.
• Massive participation: Hundreds of millions play chess regularly or occasionally – in clubs, schools, online platforms, or informally in homes and parks.
• Widespread accessibility: Chess is not just for elites – it is a true mass sport, played across all ages, continents, and cultures. It is deeply rooted in global society and deserves Olympic recognition.

4. Chess Is Spectator-Friendly and Exciting

• High entertainment value: Rapid and blitz formats are particularly thrilling for audiences, delivering fast moves, tactical fireworks, and dramatic time battles.
• Professional commentary enhances access: With expert analysis, spectators who understand the rules can easily follow the action, even if they are not advanced players.
• Time pressure adds suspense: Chess is one of the few sports where players can lose not only through play, but also by exceeding time limits. Moments of mutual time trouble often produce unparalleled tension and drama.

5. Chess Has Strategic Depth and Team Sport Qualities

• Team competitions exist: Events like the Chess Olympiad or national team leagues show that chess is not limited to individual play – national teams compete, just like in other sports.
• Individual games reflect team dynamics: The player is the “coach ”, the strategist, and the “manager” of their pieces. The board is the field. Each move represents a tactical play within a broader strategy, involving both strategic depth and tactical finesse.
• Complex interplay: Chess combines personal mastery with broader strategic vision – a blend of individual brilliance and simulated teamwork, fully aligned with the complexity of traditional team sports.

6. Chess Is Booming Among Young People

• Global renaissance: Online platforms like Chess.com and Lichess, streaming on YouTube and Twitch, and pop-cultural phenomena like The Queen’s Gambit have attracted millions of young new players.
• Record membership growth: In many countries, chess clubs are growing faster than ever before – especially among children, teens, and young adults.
• Olympic potential: Chess is an ideal bridge between tradition and digital innovation – perfectly suited to the Olympic ideal of inspiring youth through sport.

7. Chess Is Internationally Organized and Ready

• Strong global federation: The International Chess Federation (FIDE), founded in 1924, organizes World Championships, World Cups, and the Chess Olympiad with national teams from more than 180 countries.
• IOC recognition already granted: Chess is already acknowledged as a sport by the International Olympic Committee – only one step remains: its inclusion in the official Olympic program.

The Demand

I call for chess to be officially included in the Olympic Games as a medal discipline starting with the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
Chess represents discipline, fairness, mental and physical effort, inclusivity, internationalism, and sportsmanship – all core Olympic values. The game of kings is ready for its rightful place on the world’s greatest athletic stage.

The time is now. Let chess make its Olympic debut in 2028.

Christoph Surmann