When we think about sportsmanship, it’s common to associate the idea with physical sports like soccer or gymnastics, but the truth is that this value (among others) is also present in chess games.
A recent study estimates that more than 600 million people play chess around the world, making it not only one of the most played games ever but also one of the most popular competitive activities. The reasons for this are varied and worth exploring.
Among them are the valuable lessons that chess can offer, such as respect and sportsmanship, especially in the context of professional tournaments. Even when played alone, the game teaches patience, helps reduce anxiety, and sharpens logical thinking.
But what exactly can chess (especially in online settings) teach us about mutual respect, ethics, and coexistence? Below, we explore these values and how they reveal themselves in each move.
What does chess teach about respect and sportsmanship?
In the digital and connected world we live in, learning about respect and civility through chess is no longer limited to face-to-face encounters. Online platforms offer spaces that, in addition to being accessible, encourage players to practice with responsibility and fairness, even when facing strangers. It is possible, for example, to free chess play online with friends through dedicated spaces like Papergames.io, which preserves the essence of the game even in remote matches.
The online experience also reinforces core values of the game, such as respect for rules, awareness of your opponent’s time, and commitment to your own learning process. Playing against friends, or even against random opponents, can be a practical and engaging way to develop sportsmanship, especially when each match is seen as an exchange rather than just a confrontation.
Greetings before and after matches, even in defeat
One of the first lessons that chess offers about respect and sportsmanship is visible right at the beginning of a match: the greeting. Competitiveness often causes chess players, and athletes in general, to forget that opponents in games are not enemies or actual rivals.
The same applies to greetings after the match, once results have already been decided. In these moments, the gesture becomes even more meaningful, showing that the player who lost respects the opponent and the strategies that led to their defeat — setting an example to be followed in many areas of life.
Never cheat or ignore the rules of the game
This second point may seem “obvious” at first glance, but it’s something that has been overlooked in the past: following the rules. Cheating can happen in any competitive environment, which is why it’s essential to clearly define the rules and ensure they are upheld.
It is up to the players to follow what has been established, even in situations where it might theoretically be possible to “cheat” without being caught. A victory achieved through dishonest means carries nowhere near the weight of a win that relied solely on the legitimate tools available to defeat a strong opponent.
Maintaining civility during both in-person and online matches
Earlier we mentioned online matches, which often take place in environments where civility is neglected far more frequently than in face-to-face games. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Chess shows that respect can absolutely exist in the digital space.
The best and most respected players demonstrate this by avoiding any kind of provocation and being mindful of how they celebrate. There’s a clear difference between being happy for your own win and being happy for someone else’s defeat. Sportsmanship only truly exists when this distinction is taken seriously.
Learning from strategies and recognizing the merit of others
It is not uncommon, especially in more advanced chess circles, for players to become so focused on their own strategies that it’s almost as if they’re playing alone, even in the company of others. This is a mistake, and something the best players understand well. It is essential to learn from others’ strategies.
Beyond that, it’s important not to underestimate an opponent and to recognize their merit. Growth is only possible when we are humble enough to acknowledge what others are doing better and to understand how we might reach that same level of gameplay. And this, too, is one of chess’s many lessons.
Respecting your own time and the time of your opponent
To close, we have a lesson from chess that starts with the rules themselves: respect for time. Moves are timed to ensure that each player has the opportunity to think carefully about their decisions while also keeping the game moving toward a conclusion.
Players are encouraged to respect their own time by using what has been allocated to make the right decisions, while also not disrupting the opponent’s time, maintaining silence between turns. The calm and thoughtful nature of chess stems directly from this mutual respect for time and space.
In the end, chess serves as a reflection of mutual respect between people, especially those on opposite sides of a competitive scenario. It is always worth remembering that the purpose of the game is to bring us closer together, celebrating such a passionate activity, never to divide us.
