Chess - A Love Story
Atop his lavish dark wooden bureau sat the most magnificent item I had ever seen.
As I entered the room, my gaze was fixated upon it.
Imbued with glimmering sparkles like stars in the night sky rested a gorgeous crystal chess set.
Naturally, I asked him what it was, and he told me it was a game called "chess."
He taught me how the pieces moved, and I'm sure I lost every match.
I occasionally played with friends and family when there was nothing to do (this was before the Internet).
It wasn't until I was 18, though, that I played a friend and realized there was more to this seemingly innocuous table game.
He spoke of masters who dedicated their lives to studying and uncovering the secrets of this mystical board.
He gave me a program he'd been using to study, and I was hooked.
I had no idea this standard household board game could be so complex, challenging, and beautiful.
One of the first games I learned about was one of the first games ever recorded.
It goes like this.
White risked losing his rook, sacrificed his queen and, in only eight moves, delivered a truly spectacular checkmate!
How can you not love chess?
After seeing such brilliancy in so few moves, I knew this could only be scratching the surface of the possibilities.
I kept digging, studying, and practicing until I felt prepared to play in my first tournament.
Still, I needed a game that people (at the time) weren't prepared for.
That's when I heard about the Lasker Gambit.
Emanuel Lasker not only held the title of world champion for chess but for checkers too.
He was the sole inspiration for the first game I ever played in an over-the-board tournament.
I won against a 1500-rated player, and Lasker's defense against the Queen's Gambit goes like this.
Everyone knows about the chess hustlers in Washington Park.
I wanted to learn more about the culture and history surrounding the phenomenon.
Eventually, I heard a story of a grandmaster famous for gambling when playing chess.
When people would play him for stakes as low as a single schilling, he would so often play this opening that it became famously and endearingly referred to as the Blackburne Schilling Gambit.
Rumors begin circling that a mad genius chess master from Louisiana is visiting Paris.
While attending the opera, this master played against two strong French amateurs who discussed various strategies and tactical ideas before agreeing on which move to play against the brilliant American.
As a result, one of the most iconic, awe-inspiring, and legendary games ever to grace the chess board was born.
The master was Paul Morphy, and this is his infamous Opera Game.
Still, they inspired me to continue looking deeper and continuously searching for the beauty beyond the construction of the chess board and enjoy each of the little secrets hidden within this extraordinary little world.
I hope they can do the same for you!
Until next time, keep improving, keep learning, and most of all, enjoy every moment!
