The Mental Battle of Competitive Chess: A Sport Beyond the Board

Khoshnaw Rahmani, JadeTimes Staff

K. Rahmani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Sports.

---

Image Source: Giuseppe Cacace

Chess—A Test of Mind and Endurance

Chess is often perceived as a game of intellect, strategy, and patience. But beyond the 64 squares lies a mental battlefield where players must navigate psychological pressure, emotional resilience, and cognitive endurance. Unlike physical sports, chess demands unwavering focus, deep calculation, and the ability to withstand intense mental fatigue.

Competitive chess is not just about moving pieces—it’s about outthinking, outlasting, and outmaneuvering an opponent in a war of minds. Grandmasters train their brains like elite athletes train their bodies, sharpening their ability to handle stress, recover from setbacks, and maintain peak cognitive performance.

How does chess push the human mind to its limits? And what makes it one of the most mentally demanding sports in the world?

The Psychological Warfare of Chess

A. The Pressure of High-Stakes Competition

Chess tournaments are grueling. Players sit for hours, calculating thousands of variations, anticipating their opponent’s moves, and making split-second decisions that could determine victory or defeat. The mental strain is immense, and the ability to stay composed under pressure is what separates champions from the rest.

Competitive chess players experience heart rates similar to those of marathon runners during intense matches. The stress of decision-making, combined with the fear of blunders, creates an environment where mental toughness is just as crucial as strategic skill.

B. The Psychological Battle Against Opponents

Chess is not just about playing the board—it’s about playing the opponent. Psychological tactics, such as bluffing, intimidation, and deception, are common in high-level play. Grandmasters often use subtle gestures, prolonged thinking times, or unexpected sacrifices to disrupt their opponent’s mental state.

Legendary players like Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen have mastered the art of psychological warfare, using their presence and confidence to force mistakes from their opponents.

Cognitive Endurance: The Brain’s Marathon

A. The Mental Stamina Required for Chess

Chess games can last up to six hours, requiring players to maintain deep concentration and strategic foresight for extended periods. Unlike physical sports, where athletes can rely on muscle memory, chess demands constant mental engagement.

Studies show that chess players burn up to 600 calories per tournament game, purely from mental exertion. The brain, like a muscle, requires training to sustain peak performance over long matches.

B. Memory and Pattern Recognition

Elite chess players develop exceptional memory and pattern recognition skills, allowing them to recall thousands of positions and anticipate their opponent’s strategies. Grandmasters can recognize complex board patterns in milliseconds, a skill honed through years of study and competition.

Emotional Resilience: Handling Defeat and Comebacks

A. The Psychological Toll of Losing

Chess is unforgiving. A single mistake can cost an entire game, and players must learn to recover from losses without losing confidence. The ability to bounce back from defeat is a defining trait of champions.

Magnus Carlsen, the reigning world champion, has spoken openly about the emotional challenges of chess, emphasizing the importance of mental recovery and self-belief.

B. The Comeback Mentality

Great chess players don’t just accept defeat—they learn from it. The best competitors analyze their losses, identify weaknesses, and return stronger. This resilience is what separates good players from world-class champions.

Chess as a Sport: The Debate and Recognition

A. Is Chess a Sport?

The debate over whether chess qualifies as a sport has persisted for decades. While it lacks physical exertion, chess meets several criteria of competitive sports:

✅ Requires intense training and discipline 

✅ Demands peak mental and cognitive performance 

✅ Has structured tournaments and global rankings 

✅ Involves psychological and strategic battles

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially recognizes chess as a sport, acknowledging its competitive nature and the mental endurance required to excel.

B. Chess and Physical Fitness

Surprisingly, top chess players incorporate physical training into their routines. Studies show that regular exercise improves cognitive function, memory, and concentration, making it a crucial component of chess preparation.

The Ultimate Mental Test

Chess is more than a game—it’s a mental warzone where players battle stress, fatigue, and psychological pressure. The ability to think ahead, adapt under pressure, and recover from setbacks defines the greatest chess minds in history.

As competitive chess continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: it is one of the most mentally demanding sports in the world.

Chess isn’t just about moving pieces—it’s about mastering the mind. 

The Rise of Skateboarding as an Olympic Sport: A Culture Shift

Khoshnaw Rahmani, JadeTimes Staff

K. Rahmani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Sports.

---

Image Source: Jae C. Hong

From Underground Rebellion to Olympic Spotlight

For decades, skateboarding was the underdog sport—thriving in empty pools, graffiti-covered streets, and makeshift parks built by its own community. It was loud, rebellious, untamed. It wasn’t about medals; it was about expression, pushing boundaries, and defying gravity. But everything changed in 2021 when skateboarding made its Olympic debut in Tokyo, cementing its place on the global stage.

The world watched in awe as skaters like Yuto Horigome, Momiji Nishiya, and Sky Brown claimed victory. But the moment wasn't just about gold—it was about legitimacy, evolution, and the undeniable cultural shift in how skateboarding is perceived.

How did skateboarding go from underground rebellion to Olympic prestige? And is mainstream recognition changing the soul of the sport?

The Road to the Olympics: From Counterculture to Competition

A. The Early Days: Skateboarding as an Act of Rebellion

Skateboarding was born in the 1950s, crafted by surfers who wanted to "ride" the streets when the waves were flat. But the real explosion came in the 1970s and 1980s, when skaters transformed abandoned pools into DIY skateparks, launching the careers of legends like Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, and Mark Gonzales.

Back then, skateboarding wasn’t seen as a sport—it was a subculture, a movement. Skaters were misfits, renegades, and artists on wheels. Cities banned skating in public spaces. Police cracked down on illegal skating spots. But skaters persisted, carving a space for themselves outside the rules.

B. The Turning Point: Skateboarding's Rise in Competitions

The X Games, launched in 1995, became the first mainstream competitive platform where skateboarding thrived. Suddenly, big sponsors like Nike, Vans, and Red Bull entered the scene, injecting millions into contests, brands, and skater contracts. The world saw skateboarding’s technical brilliance, but it remained in its own orbit—separate from traditional sports.

But in 2016, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that skateboarding would debut at Tokyo 2020. This wasn’t just an addition to the Games—it was a cultural shift, signaling that skateboarding was no longer just counterculture. It was sport, skill, and global entertainment.

Skateboarding’s Olympic Debut: A Game-Changer

A. Tokyo 2020: The Moment Skateboarding Went Global

When Yuto Horigome secured Japan’s first skateboarding gold medal in Men’s Street, the world took notice. He landed a near-flawless nollie 270 noseslide that left the judges stunned. On the women’s side, Momiji Nishiya, only 13 years old, became the youngest Olympic champion in history—her win cemented skateboarding’s generational shift.

Sky Brown, another young phenom, won bronze in Women’s Park, representing the UK at just 13 years old. It was a clear message—skateboarding was bringing a new era of champions, breaking traditional athletic stereotypes.

But not everyone welcomed the change. Some skaters feared that Olympic inclusion would sanitize the sport, turning it into rigid competition rather than free-flowing creativity. Legendary skater Jason Dill criticized the Olympics, saying, “Skateboarding doesn’t belong in the Olympics. It’s a personal, expressive thing—not a regulated sport”.

Culture Clash: Does the Olympic Stage Change Skateboarding?

A. The Commercialization Debate

For many purists, skateboarding was never meant to be judged in an arena. The Olympics introduced uniforms, standardized judging, and national representation—elements foreign to skateboarding’s DIY, grassroots culture.

But others, like Tony Hawk, believe Olympic inclusion will only push skateboarding further. “Skateboarding has always evolved—it doesn’t lose its soul, it adapts,” Hawk said in an interview with the Olympics Committee.

B. The Next Generation: Skateboarding’s New Icons

Whether critics like it or not, skateboarding’s Olympic presence is inspiring a new generation of skaters worldwide. Since Tokyo 2020:

• Skateboarding federations have launched in over 30 countries, funding new parks and youth programs.

• Female skateboarding participation has skyrocketed, with young skaters like Nishiya and Brown proving that skating is for everyone.

• Prize money and sponsorships have surged, making professional skateboarding more financially accessible than ever.

  
  

As the sport prepares for Paris 2024, its future remains dynamic. Will it maintain its raw, rebellious roots, or continue its transformation into a structured global sport?

Skateboarding's Future Beyond the Olympics

Skateboarding’s rise to Olympic prestige isn’t just about medals—it’s about identity, evolution, and how culture adapts to the modern world. While critics warn of commercialization, the Olympics have undeniably opened doors for skaters worldwide—offering funding, exposure, and recognition previously unavailable.

As skaters continue pushing boundaries in street, park, and freestyle competitions, one thing remains unchanged: skateboarding belongs to its community first. Whether in stadiums or back alleys, the true essence of skateboarding is found in the creativity, freedom, and fearless innovation of those who ride.

Skateboarding isn’t just a sport. It’s a movement, and its momentum is unstoppable.

The Revival of Ancient Cooking Techniques in Modern Cuisine

Khoshnaw Rahmani, JadeTimes Staff

K. Rahmani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Culture.

---

Image Source: Carole Raddato

Rediscovering the Lost Art of Cooking

In an age where technology drives the culinary industry—precision ovens, molecular gastronomy, and AI-driven recipes—the world’s top chefs are looking backward. They’re reviving primitive, raw, and time-honored techniques that date back thousands of years, bringing ancient cooking methods into modern kitchens.

Why abandon convenience in favor of centuries-old methods? The answer lies in flavor, nutrition, sustainability, and heritage. By unlocking the secrets of historical food preparation, chefs are shaping the future of gastronomy while honoring its past.

Open-Fire Cooking: A Return to Smoke and Flame

A. The Oldest Cooking Method

Long before stovetops and high-tech grills, humans cooked with open flames—a method that became central to cultures worldwide. From Argentinian asado to Japanese robata-yaki, fire was the original ingredient.

B. Why Fire Cooking Is Making a Comeback

Enhanced flavor – Smoke and controlled charring create deep complexity. 

Primal connection – Fire awakens human instinct, making cooking an experience. 

Sustainability – Wood-fired cooking reduces reliance on gas and electricity, aligning with eco-conscious dining.

Today, Michelin-star chefs embrace fire for its bold simplicity, proving that heat, smoke, and patience produce culinary magic.

Fermentation: Ancient Science Meets Gut Health

A. The Timeless Art of Preservation

Fermentation was once necessary for survival, long before refrigeration. From Korean kimchi to Ethiopian injera, civilizations used fermented foods for nutrition, preservation, and depth of flavor.

B. Why Fermentation Is Thriving Again

Gut health revolution – Fermented foods boost digestion and microbiome balance. 

Flavor intensification – Fermentation creates natural umami, transforming simple ingredients. 

Cultural revival – Traditional fermentation preserves culinary heritage while introducing it to new generations.

Today’s restaurants are fermentation laboratories, crafting bold new flavors inspired by ancient wisdom.

Stone Grinding & Hand-Milled Flours: Texture and Tradition

A. The Prehistoric Milling Technique

Before industrial mills, civilizations stone-ground grains for nutrient-rich flours. Egyptians, Romans, and Aztecs perfected the craft, yielding superior textures and flavors.

B. Why Hand-Milled Flours Are Making a Comeback

Richer texture – Natural oils in hand-ground flour elevate taste and aroma. 

Nutrient retention – Unlike refined flours, stone-milled grains preserve fiber and protein. 

Artisanal movement – Bakers now reject mass-produced flour in favor of traditional techniques.

As heritage grains gain popularity, baking returns to its roots—craftsmanship over mass production.

Clay Pot Cooking: Ancient Vessels, Timeless Flavor

A. Cooking in Clay: A Tradition Spanning Thousands of Years

Before metal cookware, clay pots were the heart of ancient kitchens. From Indian tandoors to Moroccan tagines, clay’s ability to retain moisture and distribute heat defined countless culinary traditions.

B. Why Clay Pot Cooking Has Returned

Gentle heat diffusion – Clay prevents burning, creating perfectly tender textures. 

Enhanced moisture retention – Pots lock in flavor, making meats and grains irresistibly rich. 

Chemical-free cooking – Unlike modern cookware, clay avoids artificial coatings, promoting natural cooking.

As clay pot cooking resurfaces, chefs reclaim slow, immersive cooking experiences that modern kitchens often lack.

Ancient Meets Modern: The Future of Cooking Techniques

Ancient methods are no longer relics—they are shaping culinary innovation. As tradition merges with modern tools, the future of cooking is being rewritten.

Examples of ancient-modern fusion:

• Sous vide meets fire cooking – Combining temperature control with charred finishes.

• Stone milling in fine dining – High-end chefs reject industrial flour for handcrafted alternatives.

• Fermentation in Michelin-star cuisine – Once a survival method, fermentation is now gourmet artistry.

  
  

With sustainability, health, and craftsmanship at the forefront, ancient cooking techniques are defining the future.

Cooking Back in Time to Move Forward

The revival of ancient cooking is not nostalgia—it’s innovation, proving that the culinary world moves forward by looking back. As fire-grilling, fermentation, stone grinding, and clay pot cooking reclaim their place in modern kitchens, chefs honor the traditions that built civilization.

Cooking isn’t just technique—it’s history, culture, and evolution. By rediscovering ancient methods, we preserve the art of food for generations to come.