Just Play and Enjoy Chess

As a chess fan, I always browse the Internet to read articles about chess. I enjoy reading different articles and blogs about the game. But with the huge amount of materials written about chess,  time seems not enough to absorb all the knowledge, information and theories embodied in the articles.

There are thousands of books written about every phase of the game and how to handle different positions in chess. My work schedule however often gets in the way of my reading.  I love reading chess articles with the use of my iPad Mini while sipping my favorite Mocha Frappuccino in Starbucks. I am really grateful for my sister who gave me this device during her visit to this country.

Despite my heavy work schedule, I try to devote time reading about chess. I really find it very entertaining to read articles about the game.  With the help of the iPad Mini, chess books and articles can be downloaded and read with the use of a chessboard app. With the iPad, there is no need to carry bulky books and a real chessboard to study chess. It is also a perfect companion while traveling and playing chess. 

Given the enormous number of authors writing about the game and with a greater number of people reading those articles indicate that there is still great interest in chess worldwide despite the emergence of computer games.

I admire the brilliance of Alekhine, Capablanca, Tal, Fischer, Karpov and Kasparov. These players efficiently handle the pieces and effectively execute their strategic and tactical plans. Despite several combinations and possible moves on the chessboard, these great grandmasters are able to find the “best move” considered by some chess experts as bordering on the “magical”.  They are able to solve complex chess problems in the shortest amount of time.

Chess, believed to have been invented centuries ago, has continued to cast its allure even with the emergence of various computer games.  Despite the vast knowledge and information available on the Internet, chess continues to be a game that is very difficult to master.  While Deep Blue has beaten Kasparov in their classic duel in 1997, the computer cannot match the human mind’s creativity.  While chess engines have become more complex and accurate, there would always be an instance where humans would always prevail over computers in chess.

While browsing the Internet, I came across an article about the triumph of Grandmaster Boris Gelfand over a relatively young field of players -

"At the age of 41, Jaromir Jagr should not have been playing in the Stanley Cup final and keeping up with the fast skating hockey players. At the age of 45, the Israeli grandmaster Boris Gelfand should not be winning major chess tournaments ahead of young talented players and world champions. But sometimes age doesn't matter."

Age, of course, is a factor in any sport including chess. It is an inaccurate statement to say that age doesn’t matter in chess. With age, we can estimate the strength of the player. A young player is often considered as having the advantage compared to a much older opponent. However, age is not a great factor in chess compared to other sports. I have seen players aged fifty and above beat their younger rivals. Being a senior player is definitely not a disadvantage in chess and history has repeatedly confirmed this.

Ironically, I have also witnessed kids as young as ten years old trounce their much older opponents. In chess, you cannot underestimate any player. Once the game begins, what matters is how the pieces are handled to force your opponent into submission.

In chess, what is important is to have that confidence no matter what age level you are in.  Play chess at the best of your ability and enjoy the game. Defeat should not lessen your confidence level but at the same time, a victory should make you humble. A particular chess game may be won or lost by a player depending on various factors. What is important is to continue playing and learn from previous mistakes. Relish the victory over the chessboard but do not let that victory get into your head. As some players say “it is fine if you win and okay if you lose a chess game”.

In some tournaments, there are some participants who after two consecutive loses would just leave the tournament and forfeit the remaining rounds. Most non-master tournaments have at least seven to eight rounds depending on the number of participants. Forfeiting the remaining games or rounds would mean losing the opportunity to play and test your skills with other strong players. Moreover, it means throwing away money in the form of registration fees and travel expenses.

In my experience, senior participants often stay until the conclusion of the tournament no matter what the result of the early rounds.  Perhaps maturity has given them courage and the resolve to complete the tournament despite earlier losses. Young players should have the same attitude. Early losses should not cause discouragement from continue playing and completing the tournament. It is not the prize money, trophies or medals that should be the primary motivation in playing chess, it should be the opportunity to improve your game and reap all the benefits one can get from playing chess.

In chess, there is practically no age limit. It is a very good past time for our “senior citizens” as the game requires long hours of concentration and focus. With chess, our senior citizens can continually have a company and avoid loneliness. It is also believed that chess prevents Alzheimer’s disease and depression.

For young ones, chess is a very good venue to meet new friends. The game also teaches discipline, patience and perseverance necessary to succeed in life. But whatever benefits chess can give to young players, it must be stressed that studies should never take a back seat. If possible, playing chess and studies should go hand in hand.  While I love chess, I say that education should always be a priority.

While we are now seeing the rise of very young grandmasters, age should not prevent anyone from playing and enjoying chess.