When Do You Stop Playing Chess?

Well, you don’t! And you should not stop playing chess. After a loss, stop to shortly analyze the game, learn from your mistake and get ready to play in the next round. Move on and forget about that game.  If you lost in the first round, there is still the second round. If you lost in the second round and so on, then there is still the next tournament. What is important is to continue playing chess despite initial losses and frustrations.

While it is a good feeling to win a game, what is more important is how you play chess. Camaraderie and gaining friends is more valuable in winning a chess game. But, this does not mean that I am suggesting playing the game for granted. Do your best in every game but be humble when winning and accept a loss gracefully.

All chess players, even today’s top grandmasters have suffered a loss and lots of it before attaining their status. As it is said, chess is a game that is easy to learn but difficult to master. During the learning phase, to experience losing is normal. And even if you attain some form of mastery over the game, expect to lose once in a while. 

Chess is a very complicated game and is dependent on the present state and psychology of the player. There are times when a player because he or she is only human, suffers from a certain form of mood that somehow diminishes creativity and strength where they end losing in the process. The lack of sleep is also a factor on why a chess player can lose a game.

Whatever reason it may be, anyone who loses a chess game should accept it and not blame it on whatever external factor there may be. Do not take away anything from your opponent. Give the whole credit. Chess is a game of Kings where losing gracefully is expected. Before and after the game, shake the hand of your adversary and put the pieces back in their original position before leaving the venue. Leave without any trace of anger though frustration cannot be avoided.

No matter what, never stop playing chess either seriously or just for fun. Chess brings a lot of benefits to our intellectual well-being. It is a game played for several centuries. Even with the advent of computers, chess has never been out of style. Today, there are almost a billion people who play chess around the world either professionally or just for plain fun.