Elon Musk Criticizes Chess, Suggests Adding Space Lasers

In a surprising and somewhat humorous twist, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the game of chess. Musk’s latest comments have sparked a mix of amusement and bewilderment among his followers and the broader public.

Elon Musk criticizes chess... again! | ChessBase

The Rant

On October 4, 2024, Musk posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), expressing his views on chess. He argued that the game is overly simplistic and lacks the complexity of real-life scenarios. Musk’s post read: "Chess has a tiny number of degrees of freedom compared to reality: only 64 squares, no fog of war, no tech tree, no terrain differences, same starting pieces & positions every time and you can’t invent new pieces during the game. All of those factors and more are present in reality. So it may seem like someone is close to checkmate in reality, but that doesn’t matter if they suddenly vaporize the opponent’s king with lasers from space that never existed before!".

Elon Musk's post on X

The reaction to Musk’s comments was swift and varied. Some users found the remarks amusing and appreciated Musk’s unique perspective on the centuries-old strategy game. Others criticized the comments as outlandish and questioned Musk’s understanding of the game’s strategic depth.

One user humorously responded, “Great, now we need a new version of chess with space lasers. Thanks, Elon!” Another user, however, pointed out, "Chess is a game of strategy and skill. Adding space lasers would completely change its nature. Not everything needs to be like a sci-fi movie".

Musk’s History with Chess

This isn’t the first time Musk has commented on chess. In previous posts, he has described the game as “too simple” and not reflective of real-life complexities. Musk, who played chess as a child, has often compared it unfavorably to more modern strategy games that incorporate elements like technology trees and variable terrain.

Musk’s comments, while lighthearted, highlight his broader views on innovation and complexity. As someone deeply involved in cutting-edge technology and space exploration, Musk often emphasizes the need for systems and games that reflect the multifaceted nature of reality. His critique of chess can be seen as an extension of this philosophy.

Musk vs Leonardo in Chess Game | Stable Diffusion Online

Elon Musk’s latest remarks on chess have once again demonstrated his ability to spark conversation and debate. Whether taken as a serious critique or a playful jest, his comments have certainly added a new dimension to discussions about the game. As always, Musk’s unique perspective continues to captivate and provoke thought among his followers.

Elon Musk says chess is too simple and needs space lasers

Source: Boing Boing, Futurism