That’s the problem with chess, you are correct it is supposed to be a game and it can still be fun with two novice players but once you get to a certain level it becomes a game of memorization, and everyone has to memorize certain movies to keep up after you memorize as many moves as anyone else it becomes a game again because you finally get to invent new moves no one has tried before but at that point only a handful of people on earth are even a challenge to you.
That’s the problem with chess, you are correct it is supposed to be a game and it can still be fun with two novice players but once you get to a certain level it becomes a game of memorization, and everyone has to memorize certain movies to keep up after you memorize as many moves as anyone else it becomes a game again because you finally get to invent new moves no one has tried before but at that point only a handful of people on earth are even a challenge to you.
I’ve memorized Shrek.
That sounds impressive but some Grand Masters can memorize Shrek 1-4 and Puss in Boots, the World Champion has even memorized The last wish.
Its really fun as long as neither person studies the game theory, one of the most boring past that point however
That’s why Go is a better game. It rewards creativity