DRUG TESTS FOR CHESS PLAYERS?

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. - If the world's leading chess federation gets its
way, the game will be included in the Olympics - as long as the
competitors agree to the drug tests. The Federation Internationale
des Echecs, the organization leading the push, has already begun
testing for substances banned at the Olympics in an effort to boost
its credentials.

That has rankled some players who call drug-testing in chess a
logistical headache and a logical absurdity.

"What, human-growth hormones so we can bang the clock harder?" said
Jim Leade, a U.S. representative to FIDE who thinks the organization
is being too strict. "It absolutely registers as ridiculous."

The issue is on the agenda Saturday at the U.S. Chess Federation's
annual meeting here, which coincides with the end of the 102nd U.S.
Open.

Delegates will debate motions to ban testing at U.S. events. Many say
they are dumbfounded by the drug-testing proposals but are willing to
sacrifice to help make chess an Olympic sport.

Chess enthusiasts acknowledge that their bid is unusual but insist
the game is a legitimate sport.

"It's competitive, it requires endurance," said George DeFeis,
executive director of the U.S. Chess Federation. "It's a mind game
that tests the stamina of each chess player. I think the Olympics
will benefit from seeing how other sports that are not so physical,
though mentally fierce, compete."

FIDE says chess has Olympic-scale appeal, with 156 member federations
and 5 million registered players. It has applied for consideration
and has received official recognition from the International Olympic
Committee. But that's only a first step.

IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said there is no possibility of
adding chess at the 2004 Games in Athens, which has already reached
its cap of 10,000 athletes. Chess wouldn't work at the Winter Games -
rules allow only sports played on ice or snow.

Moreau also said Olympic officials will not add sports unless others
drop out, and chess backers note that at least a dozen other sports,
including fin swimming, surfing, billiards, want to become Olympic
events.

Then there's the question of whether chess is a sport.

The Olympic Charter includes guidelines to ensure only widely popular
sports are included, such as requiring participation in 75 countries
and at least four continents. But other than banning sports that use
motors, the IOC has discretion to determine what constitutes a sport.

"We always thought that sport should involve some element of physical
skill," said Dick Pound, an IOC member from Canada. He said chess had
little chance of becoming an Olympic sport.