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16 November 2008

Chess - A game of Destruction

Chess is on of the most popular board game ever existed. It is the ultimate strategy game that involves high level analytical skills. It is also the most destructive game ever created. In this post, I will walk you through on the benefits and the concept of Chess.

A game of Chess is good because:
1) Chess improves concentration. During the game you are focused on only one main goal -- to checkmate and become the victor.
2) Chess develops logical thinking. Chess requires some understanding of logical strategy. For example, you will know that it is important to bring your pieces out into the game at the beginning, to keep your king safe at all times, not to make big weaknesses in your position and not to blunder your pieces away for free. (Although you will find yourself doing that occasionally through your chess career. Mistakes are inevitable and chess, like life, is a never-ending learning process.)
3) Chess teaches independence. You are forced to make important decisions influenced only by your own judgment.
4) Chess develops the capability to predict and foresee consequences of action. It requires you to predict an opponent's move and the consequences it brings to your army. Consequently it encourages you to develop steps to counter an opponent's possible movement as well as to leverage your advantage.
[Source: http://www.quadcitychess.com/benefits_of_chess.html#why]

True, a game of Chess is beneficial to players. However if you look at the game as a whole, Chess is one terrible game that stresses on the concept of DESTRUCTION.

If you do not know what is Chess; Chess is a game consisting of 2 players. The ultimate goal is to be the first player to kill the opposing king. You have 16 units at your command (8pawns, 2knights, 2bishops, 2rooks, 1queen and 1 king)

In ALL Chess game the following rule apply:
1) To win, you are expected to make sacrifices.
2) To win, you have to destroy your opponent's king.

In chess, any move chosen will leave one worse off than before they moved. It is a no-win situation. In a player's point of view, the best scenario is to able to keep all 16 pieces alive while killing off the opponent's king. Even in the best scenario, you have to destroy something - your opponent's king.

Chess is in fact a game of destruction. Sure it develops your analytical skills and logical thinking, but not many people came to realize that chess players are developing their analytical skills for the sole purpose of destruction.

Then again, you can argue that chess is a game that teaches its player how to protect an important piece, the king. And you could use that argument to stress that PROTECTION is a concept being taught in a game of Chess. However, you need to cripple your opponent in order to ensure the safety of the king. In a way, you need to destroy something in order to protect something. Ultimately, it is still a game of DESTRUCTION.

Question is, would you encourage your kids to play Chess?
If you do, you might be encouraging them on how to dispose someone (eg: parents) with the most efficient method. I guess that is why my parents never taught me how to play chess.


PS: I suck at Chess. That is why I have a grudge against all chess players. As usws mentioned, it never fails to damage my ego and pride every time I play the game. It hurts to lose you know...


[Top Comment by ColourfulWorld]
Chess also promotes sportsmanship. In tournaments, we don't checkmate people. Instead, we move around to the extent that the opponent resign so basically it's not destructive at all. Guess you must have played so little chess that you don't know how Grand Masters play. Anyway, the correct term is "capture", not "destroy" so it's not as damaging as you think.

13 comments:

YingYang@QS said...

Meh. Chess provokes thinking one step (maybe more) ahead of your opponents. True that the game is also based on destroying, but it is the equal opposite of building; which requires pretty much the same skills =)

Anonymous said...

"I suck at Chess. That is why I have a grudge against all chess players" - Your title implied this. Lol, the first thing it destructs is your pride and ego. Sakit kan to kalah?

Anonymous said...

Excuse to all problems: Not everyone was born to be a chessplayer, athlete, millionaire, [insert whatever else here]. I memang banyak to insert. :(

Anonymous said...

haha, u made chess sounds very damaging. sure, it's a lil on destruction, but if developing analytical skills & logical thinking > destruction, i guess it's still alright :)

Jie Juan said...

Chess is like life itself.

Anonymous said...

Chess also promotes sportsmanship. In tournaments, we don't checkmate people. Instead, we move around to the extent that the opponent resign so basically it's not destructive at all. Guess you must have played so little chess that you don't know how Grand Masters play. =p

Anyway, the correct term is "capture", not "destroy" so it's not as damaging as you think. LOL...

If you suck at chess, I suggest that you start playing the game by reading up some chess books. Some basic openings should be enough for you to start a good game.

BTW, just like drawing, singing, dancing and other types of hobby, you need to start at young age so that the potential can be maxed out... My parents provided me many learning opportunities when I was young, so I'll definitely do the same for my kids. =)

I hope I don't piss you off! =p

Unknown said...

To make sacrifices? Not really the way to put it. hehe. A successful win is when nobody is killed. Or at least try to minimize death.

Pawns are meant for suicide/investigation in order to identify the opponents tactics and intentions. BUT. We got to save them before they are killed. That's where the knights play its roles. So does the others key players.

Just like war. Medics are to prevent death. Coz somebody got to head to the front right? We cant send the expensive/important ones in front first as we dont know what is waiting for us.

Its a waste to send tanks and jets in front and ending up losing everything heh.

acura said...

Chess involves strategic planning, always thinking one step ahead. But I am terrible in chess. Too impulsive, i move the pieces randomly.

James Wee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
James Wee said...

Chess ... I rather play Chinese chess.

Because it's more medieval. lol

And yeah, I would encourage kids to play any type of chess games.

Anonymous said...

Hey this is an interesting perspective, first time I've heard of it! I used to play a lot of chess when in school and as u say it really helps in analytical thinking. But thinking about it you are quite right too, it is trying to out think your opponent and whack them. It is good to get a balance and not play too much of it I guess!

Anonymous said...

"We cant send the expensive/important ones in front first as we dont know what is waiting for us." - SOLUTION! Nuclear warfare!! Hahahaha.. *kaboom* I don't lose if i make the first strike. As long as they don't have enough time to tembak balik.

"I suggest that you start playing the game by reading up some chess books" - Don't play with ColorfulWorld, he has probably read tonnes and tonnes of books. No fair!

"My parents provided me many learning opportunities when I was young" - Dang optimist and overachievers! Curse you unfair life!!

Anonymous said...

LOL, we do not need nuclear warfare. It's Cyberwarfare right now. I just disable your power grid and scramble your communications and launch sequence and tadda... you have no bombs AT ALL...

I have indeed underwent vigorous training during my secondary school days. Just missed a bit to become a state and national player. Anyway, I'm not that good right now considering that I haven't played chess for almost 2 years.

Come on, cursing is not good for health. LOL. Parents just provide what they are capable of. It is us who will complete the rest. Different people excel in different field. Relak ler...