The Chess Wit and Wisdom of GM Ben Finegold
GM Ben Finegold at the Silverdale Chess Club
Saturday, July 19 at 2:45PM
Attendance is Free
In case you hadn't noticed, the initials of GM Ben Finegold, our special guest speaker at the Silverdale Chess Club this Saturday, and Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s revered founding fathers, are in fact the same.
But did you know that the “other” Ben, of 1776 fame, was also a passionate chess player and a fierce chess advocate who wrote a famous essay on "The Morals of Chess."
Ben Franklin viewed chess not merely as a game, but as a valuable tool for cultivating important life skills and virtues. His essay, "The Morals of Chess," outlines how the game can teach foresight, caution, circumspection, and perseverance. He saw parallels between the strategic thinking required in chess and the challenges faced in life, emphasizing the importance of planning, careful consideration of consequences, and persistent effort.
Walter Isaacson who wrote a biography of Franklin titled “Benjamin Franklin: An American Life" described a chess game between Franklin and the Duchess of Bourbon, "who made a move that inadvertently exposed her king." Ignoring the rules of the game, Ben promptly captured it. 'Ah,' said the duchess, 'we do not take Kings so.' Replied Franklin in a famous quip: 'We do in America!”
Other Franklin factoids:
• Foresight:
Franklin believed chess encourages players to anticipate future moves and their potential consequences, a skill applicable to various life situations.
Franklin believed chess encourages players to anticipate future moves and their potential consequences, a skill applicable to various life situations.
• Circumspection and Caution:
The game teaches players to be mindful of their actions and consider potential risks before making a move, promoting careful decision-making.
The game teaches players to be mindful of their actions and consider potential risks before making a move, promoting careful decision-making.
• Perseverance:
Chess can help players develop the ability to remain undeterred by setbacks and to persevere in the face of challenges, a valuable trait in any endeavor.
Chess can help players develop the ability to remain undeterred by setbacks and to persevere in the face of challenges, a valuable trait in any endeavor.
• Life as a Kind of Chess:
Franklin famously stated, "for life is a kind of chess, in which we have often points to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with," highlighting his belief that chess mirrored the complexities and challenges of life.
Franklin famously stated, "for life is a kind of chess, in which we have often points to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with," highlighting his belief that chess mirrored the complexities and challenges of life.
• Beyond Amusement:
He argued that chess is more than just a pastime; it's a valuable tool for personal development.
He argued that chess is more than just a pastime; it's a valuable tool for personal development.
• Franklin's Chess Skill:
While he wasn't a chess master, Franklin was known to be an above-average player who enjoyed the game and used it as a platform for diplomacy and socializing.
While he wasn't a chess master, Franklin was known to be an above-average player who enjoyed the game and used it as a platform for diplomacy and socializing.
We hope you enjoy it!
The Silverdale Chess Club meets on Saturdays from 2:30-4:30 at Moment Brewing, 10876 Myhre Pl NW Suite 112, Silverdale, WA 98383
