Chess is sport

Chess is sport. Played at the highest levels, it is incredibly mentally and physically demanding. Tournament games can last up to six hours or more, and several games might be played in one weekend. Successful top-level chess competitors ensure that physical conditioning is a part of their training regimen.

Several national sprot federations recognize and clasify chess as a sport, and their top chess players are given funding like athletes.

Here is article 17.2 of the FIDE handbook"

"17.2.

For all practical purposes, the practise of the game of chess in all its ramifications is fully recognised as sport by the International Olympic Committee at the IOC session in Seoul, Korea in June 1999 and therefore any form of practice of the game of chess and any decision thereon by FIDE or any form of activity relating thereto either directly or indirectly falls within the definition of sport. "