Chess officials have long lobbied for their sport’s inclusion in the Olympic program. Now, they believe they have a better shot at the Winter Games than the more crowded Summer Games, according to Xinhua News Agency.
However, the Olympic Charter clearly states that winter sports must be “practiced on snow or ice.” Chess’ solution?
Players use chess pieces made of ice, the International Chess Federation president suggested, according to Xinhua. The president has said before that curling is “chess on ice.”
The International Chess Federation was recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 1999, which is an early step toward joining the Olympics.
In 2000, a chess exhibition was held at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Many other sports with a long shot of making it on the Olympic program are currently IOC recognized, including auto racing, football and tug of war.
