Why Walking is Good for Chess Players and You

“Your body has to be in top condition. Your chess deteriorates as your body does. You can’t separate body from mind.” - Bobby Fischer

Walking has several benefits. It is an activity that is good for the body and mind. Walking is a very simple activity that can be performed on the streets, in parks, or in the gym. Walking, for most of us, is a natural and common way of getting to other places. Depending on the distance, we would choose to walk to get to our destination. It is the most common way of traveling for most people. We will often opt to travel by foot because it is inexpensive and more convenient. Walking can get you to places where cars, bicycles, and other forms of transportation are impossible to reach. 

One of the known benefits of walking is that it relieves stress. Chess is fun but can also be stressful. Chess is a game that is perceived to be “easier” compared to other sports such as basketball because the players hardly move. People watching chess players often see the very least physical exertion. 

In a classical game where the time limit is usually ninety (90) minutes, players would stare at the chessboard for hours without making any move. Occasionally, a player may stand for a few moments while waiting for his or her opponent to make a move. After a few moments of standing, the player would then return to the chessboard to push a pawn or any other piece. 

While playing chess thrives on silence and not on a chaotic environment, chess is a brutal sport. A great chess player once described playing chess as similar to taking a very difficult examination where after the test, you are physically, emotionally, and mentally drained. If you lose a hard-fought game, chess can sometimes be very depressing. You have to gather yourself for the next game if you are participating in a tournament.

Win or lose, walking is a very effective way of rejuvenating yourself after a very challenging game of chess. Walk and get some fresh air. Walking is a very simple way of relieving stress for a chess player and you. Walk whenever space allows you to. 

When I arrived in Ontario Canada last year in August 2022, I noticed that there are a lot of parks particularly in Scarborough, Toronto where you can walk. I have been to several parks such as Morningside Park, Col Danforth Park, Guild Park and Gardens, and Port Union Waterfront Park among others. Going to parks to hike or walk is one of the ways I destress and relax. Walking in parks is a very relaxing activity. In the morning, I get the chance to breathe fresh air and exercise. It is a very simple way of relieving stress and communing with nature. By simply walking in parks here in Toronto, I get the chance to see different animals. 

In Grey Abbey Park, I saw a wild rabbit. Rabbits are common in parks here in Canada. Some of the animals, I often encounter while walking in parks aside from rabbits are squirrels and chipmunks. It was in Grey Abbey Park that I saw a wild rabbit for the first time. In Col Danforth Park, I saw a deer crossing the river. You can encounter a variety of wildlife and plants while walking or hiking in parks in Canada. 

In Morningside Park and other parks, you will see different kinds of birds, While walking, you will be entertained with different species of birds singing and chirping. Some of the birds, I encounter seemed not afraid of people. I think their behavior of being friendly is because they knew they will not be harmed. Wildlife is seriously protected in Canada. There are signs along the park reminding visitors to protect, conserve or respect the habitat of animals. Visitors in parks are reminded that the animals have rights that should be respected. They should not be harmed or disturbed in their natural habitat.

In my experience in walking in parks in Canada, there were only a few instances where some dog owners may have forgotten to pick up after their dogs. Parks in Canada are relatively clean. Dog owners should never forget to pick up after their dogs, Responsible dog owners always pick up after their dogs.

Rivers are clean in parks here in Canada. Whenever I walk in Morningside Park, I always think about the Pasig River in the Philippines. If only the Pasig River is clean and well-maintained similar to parks in Toronto, more people will be encouraged to take walking as a regular activity. The Pasig River used to be very clear and clean. During the Spanish times, it is said that the Pasig River is where young ladies looked at their images. They used the Pasig River as a mirror because the river is clear and clean. 

Walking can also boost creativity. You can be more creative if you walk more. The moment you start walking and feel some fresh air, you get the chance to allow your mind to be free. You can think of the different things you can create with your mind. Walking can give you the feeling of getting out of any barrier that prevents you from creating something that has not bee been seen before. By walking, you can get inspiration to write, draw or paint. 

Chess is a game that requires you to be creative. There are several situations in ac this game that you will encounter requiring you to be creative. Some situations occur on the chessboard that will not be solved by s simple or usual tactics. A player has to be creative and think outside the box to solve complex problems that occur during a game more creative a chess player is, the more ways a player can find solutions to the problem.

Walking is an activity that is beneficial for a chess player and for anyone. If you find yourself in a very difficult situation, one of the remedies is to simply get into the habit of walking. Walk for a few meters or a little further as you can. Every step is a single step is a way of to better health. The body and mind can both benefit from walking

Here in Canada, walking is an activity that can be enjoyed by everyone. Some sidewalks and pathways are well-defined and free from, most of the time, dog droppings or er excrement. Some laws and regulations require dog owners to be responsible for pick-up after their dogs. it is only on rare occasions that I see dog ex-dog excrement on the streets. Most dog owners ta make an effort to clean up after their dogs. This is something that I hope can be replicated in the Philippines. 

In Scarborough, Toronto, Canada Morningside Park is a very ideal place to walk. There are paved, concrete and well-defined trails where you can safely walk. The trails are shared with bikers who are required to give pedestrians the right-of-way. There is a speed limit for bikers which is 20 km per hour. Walkers and hikers in Morningside Park can travel to the main campus of the University of Toronto, Scarborough, and other parks along the Great Waterfront Trail.

Walking is good for chess players and you. This is an activity that can be very beneficial for a lot of people. It can be done with the very least of equipment. Comfortable shoes and clothing suited for the weather are essential. Water should also be carried for dehydration purposes. When. Walking in parks, the animals should not be disturbed and plants have. To be protected. Respect plants in animals while walking or hiking. Put trash in the garbage bins. 

Walk, if you feel stressed. Walk if you want to be more creative. If riding a bicycle is not possible, walking is a great alternative. Cycling is more expensive compared to walking. In biking, you need to buy a bicycle and get cycling gear. Walking does not require specialized gear or equipment. Walk and continue to be productive. Walking will prevent you from being a couched potato.

A healthy mind requires a healthy body. To play better moves during a chess game, your mind must be able to calculate a vast number of possibilities. The brain should be able to process simple and complex tactics to be able to provide the most appropriate reply to a threat. In a chess game, the mind is actively working to process the changing situation on the chessboard. For every move made, the situation on the chessboard changes. One simple miscalculation can result in to win or a losing game. 

For the mind to be able to perform such a complex task, a healthy body should complement a healthy mind. A healthy body must be able to support the mind. The brain and the body must work together to ensure an amazing performance during a chess game.