Chess Blog

Chess is a board game played between two people. The requirements for the game is none other than a square board containing 64 squares of alternate colors, and 32 pieces split into two equal sets and distributed equally to the players. The objective of the game is to capture the opponent’s chief piece – the King – and say “checkmate”, following some simple rules of setting up the pieces on the board and using the specified movement of the pieces. Now, the need for a partner is also done away with and anyone who likes to learn the game or play the game can do so by using the computer and the Internet and play online chess with a virtual partner in any online chess site.

This is all about the game of chess, in its simplest terms, for any layman to know about the game.

What is there in this game that helps a player improve his or her lifestyle?

Before answering this question, please consider the following aspects about this ancient game.

The game, according to history, is claimed to have been played since the 6th century AD, that is for more than 1400 years upto now.

Since the second half of the 15th century, the game spread to almost all the parts of the world and there has been no change in the way the game should be played since then – that is for more than 500 years, there is no change in the rules of the game and people follow the same since then.

From the beginning of the 20th century, the game has been recognized as a Professional Sport and World Championships and a host of other tournaments of prestige are conducted across the world.

If chess is a mere game played for relaxation or to kill boredom, why is the game still surviving in this world and attracting people all over the world, especially in this age of technological advancements where innumerable games are available in the market place and the Internet for providing relaxation, fantasy and excitement.

Chess is basically a game that requires serious thinking and deep concentration. You are called upon to take decisions at every move aimed at achieving the goal of saying “checkmate” to the opponent. The victory in the game is not in your own hands but in the hands of the opponent. You can win only and only when your opponent makes a mistake and you capitalize on that mistake. Similarly you can lose the game only and only when you make a mistake and get punished by the opponent who ceases the opportunity.

Simulate the situation in the game to that of your life and you will find the similarities between the two things – the chess and the life.

In life, the opponent is the world at large. You are called upon to take decisions at every point of your life – be it studying a course, taking up a job, buying a car, loving a girl, marrying a lady, so on and so forth. A wrong decision will make you ruin later while a wise decision will make your life a better one.

Learning the game of chess and gaining experience in this fascinating game will help a person cultivate many of the following capabilities: make informed and balanced decisions; develop analytical skills; logical and concise thought process; deep concentration; responsibility; and planning ahead. These invaluable skills will naturally help a person improve his character and approach to the life.