Re: Chess?
For the doubters, a question - is Chess a sport?
the IoC officially recognizes it as such and there have been many famous international players and contests in history. Word is that chess may be accepted as an Olympic sport in 2020 too.
The latter bit, I doubt it very much. The IOC refuse to reintroduce contests for poetry or art (events which Pierre de Coubertin considered to be as - if not more - important than the physical sports in terms of promoting international and cultural cooperation), I don't see them introducing Chess. They're all about the televise-able, X-Gamesy events at the moment - new BMX/MTB cycle events, trialling rock climbing, etc.
But yes, both Chess and Bridge have been recognised by the IOC as "Mind Sports" for quite some time, though this recognition offers no entitlement to be included in the Games.
For the doubters - have a look at existing esports tournaments. Simon is being rather disingenuous when he comments "...will therefore include computer games. Or “e-sports” as they're now known."
Not all computer games are eSports. Only the ones that are both competitive and require some significant level of mental skill - League of Legends, DOTA2 (amongst others) represent a battle of wits and strategy akin to that offered by Chess. The big tournaments pull tens of thousands of spectators, and millions of online viewers on PPV streaming.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
