Why Jose Rizal Played Chess in Dapitan

 “Chess is so inspiring that I do not believe a good player is capable of having an evil thought the game.”- Wilhelm Steinitz

Jose Rizal, the Philippine National Hero, is a very busy man. He values time like the diligence of a Swiss timekeeper. He would not waste a  single second. Rizal, as history describes him, is a man that would use time in the most valuable way he can. Rizal would always endeavour to involve himself in projects that would benefit him or the community. He would not be seen not doing something  valuable. I can imagine Rizal, in his spare time if there be any, reading or writing. I cannot imagine Rizal  wasting time by engaging in a drinking session. It is common to see men in the Philippines hanging out in street corners or stores wasting their idle time in a drinking session due to lack of any formal activity. Men who are unemployed are often found on street corners for long hours wasting time. Historical records have not described Rizal in a manner as someone who had wasted time.

When Rizal was exiled in Dapitan from July 17, 1892 until July 31, 1896, he made sure his time was not wasted. Instead of getting depressed, sad or anxious about his future as someone deported away from civilization, Rizal used his precious time to improve living conditions in Dapitan. While in Dapitan, Rizal went into farming and employed modern methods of agriculture, built a school for boys and a hospital for his patients, constructed a water system and discovered rare species of animals that were recognized in Europe. Rizal also  used his precious time as a businessman, inventor and an artist.

As an artist in Dapitan Rizal produced the following works of  art - “Model Head of a Dapitan Girl (Clay); Sacred Heart of Jesus (Terra Cotta, 1894); Mother’s Revenge (Clay, 1894); Medallion of Josephine Bracken (Wood, 1895-1896); Wild Boar (Clay); Bust of Dr. Ricardo Carcinero (Clay, 1892-1893); Bust of Gen. Blanco (Ivory); Josephine’s Head (Clay); Two Gate Columns (Wood); Marionette in the form of a Clown (Wood; 1894-1895); A Gay Franciscan Friar beside a Wine Bottle (Wood, 1893); Biscuit Mold (Wood, 1893); Wooden Platters (Wood, 1894-1896); Three Wooden Tops of Different Sizes (Wood, 1894); A Bowl of Pipe Represent A Girl’s Head (Wood); Josephine Sleeping (Plaster, 1895-1896); Bust of Gov. Carnicero and his Wife (Clay, 1895); and Public Faucets representing a Lion’s Head (Terra Cotta, 1894-1895.

Rizal stayed in Dapitan for four long years. In those years he stayed in Dapitan, Rizal made good use of his time. Despite being busy and burdened with obligations imposed by the Spanish Authorities, Rizal opted to use his spare time by playing chess. Rizal was a chess player in Dapitan. During those rare occasions where Rizal had spare time, he would be reading or writing. If Rizal is not reading or writing, Rizal would use his time to play chess. Why play chess? What is it in chess that Rizal decided to take chess as his past time of choice? There are several benefits one can derive from playing chess. Rizal, as a man with vast knowledge, knew that playing chess is beneficial to his mindfulness and to his mental health. Rizal chose the game of chess as an outlet for his frustration. He played chess to fight the boredom in an isolated island called Dapitan.

Dapitan is located in Zamboanga Del Norte in Mindanao. Rizal arrived on this isolated island via the Steamer Cebu and with several guards. Dapitan, when Rizal arrived in 1892 was headed by Ricardo Carcinero who later became Rizal’s friend. Carcinero gave the authorization for Rizal to explore the island on the condition that Rizal would report to his office once a week. Carcinero’s authorization gave Rizal the freedom to move as if he was not in exile. Rizal’s used this opportunity to introduce modern agricultural methods and to pursue several projects that proved to be beneficial to the community. Based on the numerous artworks Rizal did during his exile in Dapitan, Rizal has used his artistic talents. Since chess is more of a game of art than a game of strength, Rizal used chess not only as a means to while away time but also to foster his creativity.

Unknown to many, Rizal was an avid chess player in Dapitan. Rizal was well aware of the benefits of chess to his mental well-being. Rizal played chess to lessen his loneliness in the island of Dapitan. Chess became his companion. The chess pieces provided Rizal with the weapon of subduing his opponent without bloodshed. With chess, Rizal was able to  channel his military strategy by pushing pieces. With chess, Rizal has a constant companion in the isolated island of Dapitan. Chess became Rizal’s companion and the chess pieces are his loyal friends. 

Imagine Rizal playing chess and pushing a Knight to give a check or to fork the Queen and Rook of his opponent. Try to visualize Rizal pondering his next move when attacked or when his King and pawns are forced into a “zugzwang”. A zugzwang is a situation where a chess player is obligated to make a move that puts the player on a disadvantage. In chess, players are required to make a move. A player cannot refuse to make a move after his opponent has moved or pushed a piece. A player forced into zugzwang often loses the game. What would Rizal do if forced into this kind of situation? Will he try to extricate himself from the zugzwang and find the most appropriate response? Will Rizal resign and graciously accept defeat?

Chess is a microcosm of the situation of the Philippines during Rizal’s time. Bonifacio and the Katipunan are forced into a zugzwang where they, being Filipinos, are obligated to defend the fatherland. While disadvantaged compared to the might of the Spaniards, the Katipuneros chose to fight for independence with the use of armed conflict. Rizal opted to employ his intellectual gift. Instead of using arms to fight for independence, Rizal incited reforms by writing novels. Rizal, as a chess player, knew that strategy could bring tangible reforms compared to short-lived tactics.

Jose Rizal played chess not only as a way to fight boredom and past the time in Dapitan. He played chess to continually sharpen his mind. As a reformist and strategist, Rizal played chess to ensure that he will always remember the significance of a calm mind during conflict. A calm mind is necessary to find the best move in the most challenging situation. Moreover, playing chess gave Rizal the intellectual challenge and creative outlet for his inquisitive and artistic mind. Chess is a game that gave Rizal the challenge, companionship, and a way to escape the harsh reality of his exile.These are some of the reasons why Rizal played chess in Dapitan.

Photo: Jose Rizal's Monument in Toronto, Canada.