I play board games, but generally not chess. The main problems I have with with chess are how long it can take to play a round, and that there’s no theme. I like theme. Plus, I’m better at tactics than abstract strategy.
theme?
Yeah, it’s abstract, basically. I know the pieces have a designation and particular shape, but there’s no substance to the game beyond the gameplay itself. There’s nothing additional to immerse me in the experience or to make the game more interesting. If I want to pretend I’m on a battlefield or whatever, I have to do that all myself. The game provides nothing additional for me in aiding or fueling my imagination, and no story by which to become invested in any characters.
To each their own I guess.