Chess Tournaments for Lawyers and Executives

Good News: Chess tournaments for executives and lawyers have been revived!

Chess, as often said, is a game that is easy to learn but very difficult to master. One has to be able to study all phases of the game. There are hundreds of chess books that need to be read, analyzed and reviewed. There should always be constant and repetitive practice of playing the game if the executive desires to excel in chess tournaments.

In other words, to gain some form of mastery in chess there is a need to invest a great amount of time. And time is something that executives and lawyers do not have.  An executive whose primary function is to manage a business and exercise control over other employees has very little time to play and practice chess.

Similarly the very hectic schedule of lawyer which includes daily court appearances, rendition of legal opinions, preparation of documents and pleadings and legal research make it almost impossible to squeeze some time for chess.  More often lawyers are occupied with several tasks that need to be accomplished for their clients. Without the luxury of time, lawyers who are also chess players often rely on the internet to practice.

One lawyer who excelled in chess is the late Rosendo Balinas. He is a Filipino chess grandmaster who played a series of games against the legendary Bobby Fischer. Balinas is an example that being a lawyer is not a hindrance in attaining grandmaster status in chess.

While I love chess, I always say that education should be a priority. Playing the game should not be a hindrance in getting a college degree.  The benefits derived from playing chess should help the student in the pursuit of any scholastic goals.

Studies show that chess greatly improves concentration and focus. This fundamental benefit is very helpful to students.   Chess problems and challenges train the mind in order for the student to tackle more complicated mathematical problems. With chess, the mind is prevented from being dormant.

I am glad that there are upcoming chess tournaments for lawyers and executives. In this way, executives and lawyers have a venue to meet and play against their fellow chess players promoting camaraderie among them while enjoying the game of chess.