On Aug. 12, delegates of the U.S. Chess Federation agreed to allow drug testing at chess tournaments.

“Pawns” of the U.S. organization and the game?s international governing body, the World Chess Federation (officially named Federation Internationale des Echeecs in French), believe they?ve taken a step foward in achieving their goal of entering chess into the Summer Olympic Games with implementation of drug testing.

The U.S. Chess Federation and the FIDE are hoping their beloved “sport” will debut in the 2008 Olympic games as a bona fide Olympic event. In the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, chess was introduced, but only in the form of an exhibition.

First off, I think it?s great that the U.S. Chess Federation is intent on setting a good example for young chess players. Guess we won?t be seeing anymore doped-up brutes maneuvering their pieces on the chessboards. But I digress.

With all due respect to Bobby Fischer and other chess enthusiasts, chess is not a sport. It?s more of a hobby.

Maybe I?m just jealous because the International Olympic Committee hasn?t deemed sleeping or eating Olympic events ? yet.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary has several definitions of the word “sport,” but for all intents and purposes, we?ll use the following: “physical activity engaged for pleasure.”

Sure, chess does involve some form of “physical activity,” but so does sex. And we don?t see folks from the pornography industry knocking down IOC doors aiming to make fornication an Olympic sport.

Now, I nearly choked on my KOOL-AID when I saw a ballroom dancing exhibition in the 2000 Sydney Games. In defense of ballroom dancing, it at least requires some form of athleticism. Footwork, coordination, flexibility, strength and endurance are just some of the attributes needed for ballroom dancing competition.

Heck, ice dancing and figure skating are Winter Olympic Sports. Same difference, just on ice.

The aforementioned physical qualities, however, are not necessary in the game of chess. Rarely is a muscle moved when engaging in battle on the chessboard.

Avid chess players could argue that the brain is the biggest muscle needed for chess. I?m no physiologist, but the brain is not a muscle. The heart is. And so is the gluteus maximus, which is the only muscle needed to sit through those long, boring chess matches.

So if chess does get the nod from the IOC in the near future, what?s next? Poker? Chutes and Ladders? Scrabble has always been a favorite of mine,.Why not that?

How about holding an annual NCAA Championships of Chess? Does Sacramento State have a chance?

Anyway, I can forever argue why chess isn?t a sport. But I?ve got some steak waiting for me in the freezer and an early class to rest for. I?m preparing for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.