I still remember watching that thrilling 2015 AVC Women's Champions League match where Alyssa Valdez led Creamline to victory against Jordan's Al Nasar Club. The raw athleticism on display - the powerful spikes, the diving saves, the incredible endurance - made me think about how we traditionally define sports. Most people would immediately picture such physical displays when hearing the word "sport," but I've always believed there's another dimension that deserves equal recognition. Chess, often dismissed as merely a board game, embodies what I consider the purest form of mental athleticism. Having played competitive chess for over fifteen years, I can attest to the intense psychological and physical demands that mirror what we see in traditional sports like volleyball.
When Valdez executed that perfect 29-27 set victory, it wasn't just physical skill - it was strategic brilliance under pressure. Similarly, in chess tournaments, I've experienced heart rates exceeding 140 beats per minute during critical positions, comparable to moderate physical exercise. Studies have shown that grandmasters can burn up to 6,000 calories during a single tournament day - that's more than some marathon runners! The mental strain manifests physically in ways most people don't appreciate. I've lost several pounds during week-long tournaments, not from lack of eating but from the sheer cognitive load. The concentration required is so intense that blinking patterns change, breathing becomes measured, and the body enters a state of heightened awareness similar to what athletes experience in physical competitions.
The global recognition of chess continues to grow exponentially. With over 605 million regular players worldwide and recognition from 107 countries' Olympic committees, chess has firmly established its sporting credentials. The International Olympic Committee officially recognized chess as a sport back in 1999, yet many people still don't realize this fact. I've attended both chess Olympiads and traditional sporting events, and the parallels are striking - the national pride, the intense preparation, the emotional highs and lows. When I competed in the 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, the opening ceremony felt identical to any major international sporting event, complete with national anthems and team uniforms.
What fascinates me most is how chess training regimens have evolved to mirror traditional sports. Top players now work with fitness coaches, nutritionists, and sports psychologists. I personally follow a strict training routine that includes cardiovascular exercise, meditation, and specialized diet plans during tournaments. The preparation for a major chess event involves not just studying openings and endgames but physical conditioning to withstand the grueling schedule. During the 2021 World Chess Championship, Magnus Carlsen's team included a personal trainer and nutritionist - evidence that elite chess has fully embraced sports science principles.
The psychological warfare in chess mirrors the mental games we see in sports like Valdez's volleyball match. Just as she had to read opponents' formations and anticipate attacks, chess requires predicting an opponent's plans several moves ahead while managing one's own emotional state. I've seen players psychologically break during games, making blunders they'd never make in practice - similar to athletes choking under pressure during crucial moments. The mental resilience required is extraordinary, and honestly, I believe it's harder to maintain focus during a six-hour chess game than in many physical sports where action is constant and distractions are minimal.
Chess organizations worldwide have been pushing for greater recognition, and the progress has been remarkable. Prize funds for major tournaments have skyrocketed, with the 2023 Champions Chess Tour offering over $2 million in total prizes. Professional chess players now earn substantial incomes through sponsorships, appearance fees, and teaching - much like professional athletes in traditional sports. The ecosystem surrounding competitive chess has developed all the hallmarks of professional sports, from dedicated training facilities to specialized equipment and even anti-doping regulations implemented by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Having experienced both worlds, I can confidently say that the dedication required for competitive chess matches that of any physical sport. The thousands of hours studying theory, analyzing games, and physical conditioning create a holistic athletic profile that defies traditional categorization. While chess may not feature the overt physicality of volleyball, the internal battles and strategic complexities represent a different form of athletic excellence. As we move forward, I hope more people will appreciate chess not just as a game but as a legitimate sport that celebrates the incredible capabilities of the human mind under pressure. The recognition chess has gained through organizations like the IOC marks just the beginning of understanding how mental athleticism deserves its place alongside physical prowess in the world of sports.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
