Chess deserves Olympic priority over esports, World Chess CEO says

NEW YORK — Chess is still aiming for Olympic inclusion, in either the Summer or Winter Games and as early as 2022, and one of the sport’s senior officials says the board game deserves priority over esports.

“Well, chess is considered a sport, officially,” World Chess CEO Ilya Merenzon said on the eve of the World Chess Championship in Manhattan on Thursday.

Merenzon was pointing to the fact that chess’ international federation is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and that esports are not. IOC recognition is the first, early step toward potential Olympic inclusion. Around 30 international federations for sports that aren’t currently in the Olympics are recognized by the IOC,…