Chess is the most elaborate waste of human intelligence outside of an advertising agency.

Summary

This quote, attributed to American writer Raymond Chandler, suggests that chess, despite being a game that requires immense strategic thinking, may not be as significant or meaningful in the broader context of human endeavors. The comparison to an advertising agency implies that both activities may involve using intelligence for intricate purposes that do not have lasting or substantial implications. Thus, Chandler possibly intends to challenge the importance that some may assign to chess, suggesting that its complexity may not have tangible value beyond the confines of the game itself.

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