Diary of a Chess Lover: Chessitation

Everybody has a place where they can go to calm down, unwind, de-stress. For some people, it’s the peaks of the mountains. For others, it’s a private spot by a lake … or a Pizza Hut around the corner (mmm pizza!!). For me, that place is chess.  

It never ceases to amaze me what wholesome, calming effect chess has on my psyche. I just had the craziest summer, doing home renos, moving around from place to place, and finally settling down in a new, beautiful home just a week ago. Not just new home - new neighborhood, new friendships, new life! My head was spinning.

Piles and piles of boxes are still shouting at me: “Open me up, open me up … will ya!?” Bah! “No. I need a break,” I proclaimed to the Divine. I craved to play chess. I earned to re-connect with myself and feel whole again.

And so yesterday (hallelujah!), probably for the first time in a decade (!!), I played a real, un-interrupted chess game over-the-board! WOW! (Playing against my kids doesn’t count). It was just me, myself and I, and a chessboard … and my opponent somewhere in the background.

I met up with a chess master I used to know from some twenty years ago. Hugh appeared out of the blue in my old hood a few months ago (or has it been years now?) … and we finally got together … for two.straight.hours of chess!

And for the first time in months, I forgot about all my worries and all my boxes. Better than any daily meditation practice I've done, that’s for sure. That's why I call this a chessitation. One thing I realize as I get older is that: I need chess like someone needs to go to a spa. I want chess like someone wants to conquer Mountain Everest. I crave chess like someone craves Vodka. And so be it.

Oh, by the way, I even managed to win one game against Hugh! Check out this awesome checkmate trap I spotted. This is the key position. I am playing Black against Hugh. White to move. He plays: 1. c4??

Can you see why 1. c4 is a suicadal move?

What move wins for Black now?

But, of course: 1 ... Ba1. (or 1. ... Bb2)

This move controls the e5 square and sets up a mating net. Black is threatening 2...Nf6 check-mate! 

Now White has to give up a piece (2. Bd4 to prevent mate) but with such move, white loses completely in slow death. In Hugh's defense, he was running low on time and I was able to win! 

Hugh, I know you’d be reading this. Feel free to write a blog on how you kicked my aghss in the other 3 games 😊. Oh, and I want revenge!

Alright, I feel complete now. Back to the boxes!