Why so people think chess is a sport?

I'm not a sports fan by any means, but sports, to me, have to have some kind of physical component to it. Chess is just a board game to me. Just like "e-sports" are just video games.

My guess is that the people that call them sports are just trying to impress everyday people to justify their own hobbies, even though they don't have to. Like, it's fine, you can be a chess player. That's cool, you found something you're good at! Just don't call yourself an athlete.

People sit in nascars, so is nascar not a sport?

I've heard it argued that the mental exertions from playing can manifest into physical tiredness. There is a competitive drive to win.

That being said I don't see it as a sport.

Or any para Olympic sport involving wheelchairs

It's competitive, the aim of the game is to win!

It's as much of a sport as video games

It’s good cardio

Or bobsledding

Or rowing