Chess Is a Test of Your Mental Makeup
Jul 31st 2008PuzzleMasterChess & Traditional Games & Uncategorized
It is with good reason that the game of chess has continued in popularity despite the advent of video and computer games. There is something special about sitting across from your opponent with just a chess board between you, that brings out the competitive spirit and draws on every aspect of your thought processes.
You simply cannot fake your way through a game of chess. Simply knowing the possible moves of each chess piece is only the beginning. Some pieces will quickly become your favorites when you take up the game: the rook, or castle, who sticks to his straight and headlong path; the errant knight, the most devious piece, whose moves are surreptitiously made; the bishop, isolated on a single color square, he nonetheless can cover a lot of space in a short period of time.
It’s always seemed curious to me that, in a chess set, the queen has all the power, and the king is just a weak and ineffective figurehead. Nonetheless, he must be protected, and, as in life, that is the function of the pawns and the rest of his minions.
There are a lot of life lessons imparted by the game of chess.
You can manage to just stay alive in the game by taking a defensive tack, but ultimately, in order to win will require you to make at least a few bold moves. You must take risks, and you will experience losses, but the victor is the one who has the bigger picture in mind, and invests his pieces wisely.
I think it’s that ability to keep the bigger picture in mind that sets apart the mediocre player from the savant.
The athletic contest that I think most resembles a chess game is a tennis match, either singles or doubles. When you watch a great player you see that it’s not simply by overpowering his opponent that he achieves victory, but by strategically placing himself and the ball so that he gives his opponent a next to impossible shot.
Just as in chess, the player who learns to box in his opponent, while keeping his own play fluid, will likely come out on top.
Every school child and every household should own at least one chess set. The game is enjoyable even when players of uneven talents are matched up. In these situations it should be the goal of the novice to make a good showing, even if his odds of winning are slim.
A good player will always want to look for worthy opponents to sharpen his own skills. The real glory comes in besting the most skilled player.
Hopefully your chess sets are not just gathering dust, and if they are, get them out soon! You can even visit many of the online games sites and play free chess online.