Not only does it take immense practice, studying, and memorization to actually play the game, on a semi-professional level, it takes spectacular nerves as well. Chess is just as rigorous as pro-basketball, or pro-football and requires an equal amount of effort.

Many aren't familiar with chess, but tournaments are all year, every year, and there are titles to achieve in the game from these tournaments. In the USCF (United States Chess Federation) there are NM (National Master), FM (Fide Master), IM (International Master) and GM (Grandmaster), each with an increase in strength. These tournaments are extremely stacked with strong chess players each fighting for an average rating, which needs to be maintained for a certain number of games to achieve a title which is awarded for life.

It's not common knowledge, but the world of Chess has its share of superstars. The World Champions are the most known, especially Bobby Fischer, whose life was riddled with controversy in the 60's and 70's –– arguably the strongest chess player in history.
Another Chess Superstar is Garry Kasparov (world champion for 20 years) along with his countryman, Anatoly Karpov (also world champion) who both emerged out of the USSR as two who dueled each other in theory for the greater part of two decades. Like mathematics and physics, Chess also has its own theories. Masters studying the game have dedicated years of their lives to adding theory to the game, and they have carried out throughout the years.

One of the biggest reasons for the Kasparov/Karpov duel are their respective style and choice of opening –– Kasparov is an aggressive e4 player –below– which comes with its own 50+ lines each with at least 20 moves of theory (that's 1000 moves memorized).

Karpov, a principled and positional d4 player with at least the same amount of moves of theory.

Not only is chess a sport, it is also an eSport. Twitch.tv/chess, twitch.tv/chessbrah, and twitch.tv/Chessnetwork are constantly streaming Blitz Chess tournaments. A speed chess time control in which it is common for each side to have three minutes each and even one minute each - if one runs out of time, they lose the game.

It's easy to find chess boring and almost an anti-sport because players hardly move. It's easier to just make moves wherever on the board. But in reality, it is one of the oldest sports in history. It requires tedious calculation, mind-numbing memorization, and unmatched nerves. It teaches us lessons in patience, picking our battles.

Youtube search "speed chess" and you will easily see how fast some players have to move to not run out of time, and not only retain the time but make accurate moves as well. It's the most exciting and exhilarating sport to watch if you know how difficult it is to play well.

Give it a shot.