NYC parents want chess recognized as a sport

Parents in New York City are advocating for chess to be recognized as a sport in public high schools. The Citywide Council on High Schools passed a resolution urging the Public School Athletic League to include chess among its 25 recognized sports. Supporters argue that chess promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They highlight a decline in high school chess opportunities, with only 200 students participating in recent state competitions compared to 1,800 in elementary school. While many support the initiative, some council members disagree, stating that chess should not be classified as a sport. The recommendations will be forwarded to the city’s Department of Education and PSAL leadership for consideration.