Poe was unquestionably America's greatest literary genius; and his thoughtful commentary on almost any subject is worth considering. In the excerpt that you post, however, I think that he underestimates the analytic aspects of Chess vs. Checkers; although he is entirely correct in emphasizing the importance of concentration. Frankly, I suspect that it is the compelling need for such total concentration that tends to destroy great Chess players.
I remember that playing in exhibitions, where he would play 30 different players--different games--at the same time, drove Alekhine--the greatest Master of his day--to drugs. I have never been able to force myself to concentrate for long enough to be a very good player, and the same failing makes me stay out of serious stake poker games.
William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site
Chess requires tremendous concentration, but that concentration can be fun. When I was in high school, I played a couple of games where I kept my back to the board and had someone describe the moves to me using chess notation. I remembered where everything was and still won the game. It wasn't that hard because I played so much chess that I had a good feel for the board even without seeing it.
WFTR
Bill