Chess is a game based on strategy. It is the battle among two armies, fighting for the head of the enemy’s king. It is common knowledge that one cannot simply dive into a battle field without any plan. He must be vigilant at every point and should be able to foresee his enemies moves. This game is quite intellectual and can even help one to devise perfect traps and make new tactics.
This quote from movie "Pawn Sacrifice" beautifully illustrates the vastness of this game
So, this game...It's a rabbit hole. After only four moves, there's more than 300 billion options to consider. There's more 40-move games than there are stars in the galaxy. So, it can take you very close to the edge.
It depicts great example of interconnected strength and if you make one wrong move, you may have to defend it till very end because the strength of the chain is in the weakest link.
Allan Rufus wisely depicted the game in his book ‘The Master’s Sacred Knowledge’ , by saying that:
“Life is like a game of Chess. To win you have to make a Move. Knowing which move you make comes with In-sight and Knowledge and by learning the lessons that are accumulated along the way. We become each and every piece within the game called Life”.
Every Step in Life has a Purpose:
The applications of chess in life is not limited. The game proves that every step in one’s life has a purpose to it and it would be wise to think carefully and choose a path wisely before taking the first step. For one wrong move could even lead to ultimate destruction. Life demands one to choose a path. It gives one choices or options to move however he wants. But it depends on the man on which path he takes and how he chooses to move.
For Example:
In case a person is the owner of any business company, he would realize soon enough that business is in fact a battle field where one cannot move without any purpose or prior plan. It would be the same as feeding oneself to the dogs.
It was said by Susan Polgar that:
“Chess is a miniature version of life. To be successful, you need to be disciplined, assess resources, consider responsible choices and adjust when circumstances change”.
Sacrifices have to be made:
Life demands sacrifices. One cannot simply play their cards without making any sacrifices in life. Such an ideal life is impossible. One sacrifices his health and his wealth just to feed his wife and children. Chess proves how by sacrificing one piece you could achieve the ultimate victory but if you hesitate to even make a move then instead of sacrificing something minor, the person himself would become doomed.
It was wisely pointed out that:
“You may learn much more from a game you lose than from a game you win. You will have to lose hundreds of games before becoming a good player".
Look at the Bigger Picture:
If you are too busy defeating the pawns then that means that you are only looking at a tiny part of a bigger picture. By defeating the enemy pawns one might win the battle but ultimately the opponent ceases the chance to eliminate your king, without you even being able to tell how the opponent had made his move. You would end up simply losing the war. One must not be narrow minded but should have a broad vision of the bigger picture and think outside the box
When dealing with any matter in life whether professional or private, chess ultimately becomes a resourceful tool in helping one see the reality of the picture painted because sometimes one pawn can take down a king.
According to Wynton Marsalis:
“Chess improves strategic thinking, attention span, patience, camaraderie and sportsmanship”.
And it is known that:
“Tactics is knowing what to do when there is something to do; strategy is knowing what to do when there is nothing to do”.
Ending Note:
In the end chess can teach a lot of things to a person. It only depends on how eager the party is to learn. If he is able to master the game, he can play the game of life, it would be a piece of cake going through life as he would even during hard times previously experienced the pain of losing his ‘Knight’ on the battle field. Even if he would have to face hardships and would lose at times it would only motivate him to strive hard and keep moving forward.
It was wisely said that:
“No one has ever won a game of chess by taking only forward moves… Sometimes you have to move backwards to take better steps forward. That is life.”
yes you are right, but there are people out there that they only build muscle into there body and not in their mind, exercising your brain through thinking can build a muscle in your brain, therefore it is crucial when comes to decision making.
right
I really like your posts @bluemist
Do you mind if I disagree a little? There are some loose similarities, and I absolutely agree that sometimes in life a considered approach is often the wisest path (but not always), but I think the metaphor breaks down somewhat in your concluding paragraph because ultimately, chess is just a board game.
Being good at chess is not an indication that one is prepared for life. There are useful skills - patience being one of them - that chess can help develop, but ultimately life is not like a board game, in my opinion...
I never said that chess can be directly compared with life but we can definitely learn certain aspects from it which we can apply in real life.
Apologies. I probably took your metaphor a little too literally!
Nice motivation, make my mind opened to how life be better and solving problem i have it🤗👍 thanks
@bluemist. I have found it puzzling how people play the game of Chess.I have wanted to know how to play it but I have no opportunity to get anyone to teach me.However,I really enjoy the lessons you draw from the playing of the chess game.
I am inspired that life is about making sacrifices almost everyday.For one to get any meaningful achievement,life is not a bed of roses at all.I like the point where you pointed to being strategic and living with a sense of purpose.
If there is not purpose,one's life will become meaningly. An emptiness will set in and makes one's life miserable.Good post.I just followed you and upvoted your post @bluemist. Thumbs Up!
Thank you so much for wonderful feedback
I like this game.. :)
I am a big proponent of this philosophy. I think it is extremely important to have a mindset of "3-4 moves ahead". It can be a bit dark but I believe in life you need to be quite calculating.
People get so caught up in the present and don't think ahead. A classic example is in work environments - everyone is trying to climb to the top, but you have to be strategic about it, control your emotions and execute your plan.
The pawn is a great metaphor too, it represents the sacrifice of one aspect of your life for an end goal.
Well said. Ideally we cannot plan each and every moment but at least intent to strategically decide 3-4 moves ahead can definitely bring fruitful outcome in life.
Thank you so much for the feedback, much appreciated :)
Agreed!
My pleasure.
Superb Post @bluemist . Yes, Chess and the game of life are the similar. I cannot play the game of chess. Hence, the game of life eludes me too. I just cannot play - neither chess nor life ! :)
But one thing have learned and that is your rule number one - EVERY STEP HAS A PURPOSE. If there is no purpose defined, refrain from that word or action. All the pointers are accurate. Great insight :)
Everyone has his/her own way of playing LIFE and yours is quite unique, already killing at it.
Always an honor to have feedback from you :)
:) :) ... to play is to have a strategy. I don't have any. I live by instinct and emotional logic.
A middle path would be more desirable and beneficial. Trying. :) . But true, everyone has their own logic :)
Always a pleasure to hear from you , @bluemist :)
How weird is it that I even asked you about the game?! Man, that’s trippy. I love it when things work out the way they’re supposed to. This response is probably going to be a long one—get comfortable.
Excellent article! I went though the comments, too, some obviously less practiced players voiced their opinion.
Pawn Sacrifice—I haven’t thought about that one for awhile! When he was upstairs and was in the bathtub and dad was “it’s your move, hurry up!” And Bobby called down his move, dad said “but you don’t even know what I did.” Bobby was able to tell his dad the move he just did. I almost get the chills just reciting that part. .....still trips me out I even asked you if you play the game.
That quote about “you may learn more from a game you lost.” I’d go even further to say nothing is ever perfect, ever, you’re only getting better at making mistakes with each move you make. @dandays.
About beating the pawns. How true. I like to give my opponent something to chase, it keeps them distracted. More than half of the people I’ve ever played target my Queen when it’s a tipped King that wins or loses the game.
I’d like to add—never let your opponent win. Doesn’t matter if you’re teaching your wife, a student, a classroom full of kindergarteners, chess is a battle of the minds. Put a child against a professional football player and agility, size, strength, etc is irrelevant on a chess board. What is relevant is concept, attention to detail and thought process. I think allowing your opponent to win as a lesson in teaching is a mistake. Victories aren’t just earned—losses are also earned. PS—thanks for giving me a reason to get so detailed with a response.
That “tactics” and “strategy” one. Call me any descriptive adjective you want, whatever, that’s a tombstone print if you ask me—period. They could print that on my headstone and that sums it up.
That sums up this response, too, @bluemist. Thank you for showing me this article. I really enjoyed this read, it’s the only action I’ve had on Steemit for a few days now and it’s all I need for a few more.
I totally agree with you. This games is about achieving perfection. You will continuously learn from your mistakes because am sure you know that all it takes only one mistake to cost your King when both opponents are strong.
I like the concept of giving your opponent a feeling that he/she is winning but you have to control the end result.
Thank you so much for your kind remarks and it feels so good that someone shares my thought process.