Chess officials and fans of the game have long lobbied for their sport’s inclusion in the Olympic Games. International Chess Federation (FIDE) president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov said that after failed attempts to join the very crowded Summer Games that the Federation might have a better shot at joining the Winter Olympic Games.
The only problem is that the Olympic Charter clearly states that winter sports must be “practiced on snow or ice.” Their solution?
The International Chess Federation president suggested that the players use chess pieces made of ice.
It has been about 20 years since FIDE applied to enter the Olympic Games. However, in 1999 The International Chess Federation was recognized by the International Olympic Committee, which is an early step toward joining the Olympics.
It might be time to pick up a chess board