Chess - the truth comes out

"Washington has sought Fischer, who became world chess champion in his 1972 match in Iceland against Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, on charges of violating international sanctions against the former Yugoslavia by playing chess there in 1992." - CNN

This may sound odd to some. I mean wanting to arrest someone for playing chess?! Many people think of chess as one of the great thinking games, full of strategy and wit. To those people, this story must sound absurd. They probably assume that it must be because their was gambling involved or maybe Fischer wanted to throw the match or something. But to those of us who know the truth about chess, we can completely understand these charges and we are assured that they are warranted. The game of chess, performed at its highest level, is not a thinking game at all. In fact, it is more like child pornography coupled with intensive drug smuggling. One can only speculate why Mr. Fischer was playing chess in Yugoslavia anyway. The similarities between chess, the drug trade, and child pornography are too numerous to go into here. But anyone who gives it a little thought will figure it out. Only by educating ourselves will we be able to understand why the U.S. can make an international chess superstar into a villain. But with this story resurfacing in the news, it is time for our culture to make a decision. It needs to come to an educated conclusion of what the effects of chess can be. Not only on the individual, but on their families and their communities. The U.S. has taken steps (maybe not the right ones) to curb drugs and child pornography. But what about chess? Are citizens of the U.S. just going to stand around and watch as chess runs rampant through elementary and high schools? Have you ever visited a rehab clinic for chess players? Have you ever thought about volunteering at one? Don't feel bad - they don't exist. Chess players are left to fend for themselves in an environment that just does not understand. So next time you see a chess player, or even a recovering chess player, let them know that you care. Maybe you haven't been through what they have, but you at least understand. Call your politicians. Boycott stores that sell chess paraphernalia. Set up a time and place where people of your community can burn their chessboards and pieces in a public display of resistance. And do not send your children to schools that have "chess clubs." Strength needs numbers. To end this problem, individuals must take initiative. Chess is not a victimless crime. Were people playing chess 1000 years ago? I don't know. But I do know that a lot more of them are playing now. The chess epidemic must stop. But it will not stop on its own. Our government can come down hard on chess players. But until the problem of chess itself is stopped, it will not go away. Taxpayers can not afford to pay for every chess player to be put in jail - and I do not believe execution fits this crime. Only by educating those on the dangers of chess can this disease be stopped.