Our world is becoming increasingly digital. Much of our work is done on computers. Important communications are sent and received by smartphone rather than landlines. Entertainment, too, has seen drastic changes. You can now watch television shows on mobile devices and new games for consoles and phones are awaited breathlessly. While I am always in favor of positive scientific advancement, it’s sometimes discouraging to see declines in older traditions that don’t necessarily have the flashy look of modern times. One of my favorites in this category would have to be a good old-fashioned game of chess.
While certainly playable in a digital format, be it on a computer or cell phone, I always find chess to be a much more enjoyable experience in person. The challenge of competing against an evenly matched opponent face-to-face is certainly more enjoyable than a video game. Here, you and your companion test each other in a battle of wits and strategy.
Sadly, many young people have no idea how to play the game, or they find it to be boring. I would dispute both of those points. Chess is an ancient game with many intricacies, but this has more to do with the creativity of the players than the actual difficulty. The six types of chess pieces each have differences in their moves and attacks, but once learned the game is never really forgotten.
Chess’s success and its excitement rely not on flashy looks or graphics but with well-timed moves and strategies. To one paying attention, the game is never really boring. There are many possible moves on each turn, and each one makes a difference. It often takes several moves with different pieces to set up a strong attack or defense.
One of the things I like most about chess is that it forces you to think tactically. You often need to think several steps ahead of your opponent. I often find myself scanning the board intensively before I complete my turn, just to make sure that my fellow player is not about to launch a surprise attack. Since chess is technically played in silence, the amount of outside noise is negligible. Instead, your own thoughts and possible scenarios on the board dominate the game. As you set your plans into motion, you must always be careful not to give away what you are doing. If your opponent catches on, all of that time will have been wasted for nothing.
Another good thing about chess is there is no reliance on luck. Unlike many games where dice or the draw of a card is the deciding factor, chess is entirely based on your decisions. A bad roll of the die cannot be blamed for placing a piece in a position where it’s easily captured. Every single move is important, and risks and potential gains need to be weighed. Chess isn’t a game of taking the most risks possible with no consequences; it makes you think about everything you do.
I believe there are important life skills embedded in chess and ever since beginning to play it at a young age I have observed many. First, chess teaches patience. Since victory cannot be achieved by rushing headlong into making aggressive moves, new players need to learn to take things one step at a time, much as in life. Good things take time.
Second, chess teaches multi-tasking. Even with a rather small chess board, there can be a lot going on. While your left flank could be extremely well defended, your opponent could be sneaking up on your right, ready to check the king. In addition, to win, a good player will also be moving to check their opponent’s king. All told, that involves monitoring and managing several delicate situations at once.
Third, chess teaches planning. As mentioned above, the game cannot be won through one swift move. Rather, chess is won through a combination of small moves building up to do big things. In the same way, to succeed in life, having a plan allows us to coordinate the many steps needed to complete an important goal.
I think chess is a game that deserves a second look. While it may outwardly seem like a boring and dry game, it conceals a great battle of the minds, along with lessons of life. No matter what age you are, anyone can enjoy chess, but just be sure to watch out for “Checkmate!”
Connor Kockler is a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School student. He enjoys writing, politics and news, among other interests.
