As I watched Alyssa Valdez lead Creamline to that stunning 29-27, 25-20, 25-19 victory over Jordan's Al Naser Club in the 2015 AVC Women's Champions League debut, something struck me about the nature of sports. Here was this incredible athlete at 31, finally getting her much-desired shot at the highest level of volleyball competition, demonstrating the kind of mental fortitude and strategic thinking that we rarely appreciate enough in traditional sports. It got me thinking about chess - that ancient game of kings and queens that many still debate whether it truly qualifies as a sport. Having spent years both playing competitive chess and following traditional sports like volleyball, I've developed some pretty strong opinions on this matter.
The physical demands of volleyball are immediately apparent - the explosive jumps, the powerful spikes, the lightning-fast reactions. Valdez's performance required incredible physical conditioning, no question. But what fascinated me most was watching her strategic adjustments throughout the match, the way she read the opponent's formation and adapted her attacks accordingly. This is where chess and sports like volleyball share more common ground than most people realize. In chess, you're constantly reading your opponent, anticipating moves three, four, even five steps ahead, much like a setter planning their offensive sequences. The mental stamina required for high-level chess competition is comparable to what I've observed in athletes like Valdez during crucial moments. I remember playing in a national chess championship where my final match lasted nearly six hours - the mental exhaustion afterward felt remarkably similar to how I felt after running marathons in my younger days.
When we examine the training regimens of elite chess players, the parallels with traditional athletes become even more striking. Grandmasters typically spend 6-8 hours daily on chess study and physical conditioning, recognizing that peak mental performance requires physical wellness. Their heart rates during tournament play can reach 140-150 beats per minute, comparable to many moderate physical activities. The calorie expenditure during intense chess matches can reach 6,000 calories per day - more than some marathon runners burn. I've experienced this firsthand during weekend tournaments where I'd inexplicably lose 2-3 pounds despite sitting for hours, my body burning energy just to sustain the intense mental focus required.
The recognition of chess as a sport isn't just my personal opinion - it's backed by significant institutional acknowledgment. The International Olympic Committee recognized chess as a sport back in 1999, and over 100 countries officially classify it as such. The mental pressures that Valdez faced in that Champions League debut - the expectations, the need for split-second decision making under pressure - mirror what chess players experience in critical tournament situations. I've seen talented players collapse under time pressure in chess, their carefully constructed positions crumbling as the clock ticks down, not unlike athletes choking during penalty shootouts or crucial match points.
What many people miss about chess is the incredible discipline required at professional levels. The preparation for major tournaments involves not just studying openings and endgames but maintaining strict physical regimens, dietary controls, and psychological conditioning. Top chess players work with coaches, analyze opponents' games, and develop strategic plans much like sports teams prepare for their next opponents. When I was competing regularly, my training routine included not just chess study but daily cardio workouts and meditation sessions - all aimed at maintaining peak cognitive performance during tournaments that could last up to two weeks.
The spectator experience of chess has evolved dramatically too, with major tournaments now drawing live audiences of thousands and online viewership reaching millions. The 2021 World Chess Championship between Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi attracted over 2.3 million concurrent viewers at its peak - numbers that rival many traditional sporting events. Watching elite chess has become increasingly engaging with live commentary, player cameras, and instant computer analysis making the strategic battles accessible to casual fans. I find myself getting just as excited watching a brilliant sacrificial attack unfold in chess as I do watching a perfectly executed fast break in basketball or a strategic pit stop in Formula One.
Ultimately, the distinction between physical and mental sports creates an artificial divide that doesn't serve anyone. Sports at their core are about competition, strategy, discipline, and pushing human capabilities to their limits - whether those limits are primarily physical or mental. Valdez's journey to that 2025 Champions League at age 31 demonstrates the same kind of dedication and delayed gratification that chess professionals experience in their careers. Both require years of practice, mental resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure. Having lived in both worlds, I can confidently say that the emotional high of finding a winning combination in a difficult chess position feels remarkably similar to the thrill of executing a perfect play in team sports. The medium differs, but the core experience of competition, mastery, and human excellence remains fundamentally the same.