Chess I Love: No Theory
I love chess. And before anyone thinks that this means opening opening books or studying Kasparov's games, let me warn you: my love does not involve technical study. It never has. And that's fine with me.
I like chess like someone who likes an old song that touches the soul, but doesn't know all the lyrics. You just feel it. You just let yourself go. ♟️🎙️
I've tried. I swear. I watched videos about defenses and attacks, I studied some openings with fancy names... And in the end, I went back to moving the pieces as I always did: by instinct, by impulse, for pleasure.
While some see the board as a battlefield, I see it as a place of silence. My little sanctuary. Where the world slows down. 🔇
Losing doesn't irritate me. Winning doesn't make me addicted. What keeps me playing the game is the moment when everything around me disappears, and all that's left is me and that beautiful board. The 64 squares become a refuge.
I've never read an entire chess book. Maybe I never will. And that doesn't make me any less of a chess lover. On the contrary, I think chess found me exactly what I needed: without pressure.
People sometimes ask me why I don't practice more. Why I don't improve my rating. Why I don't show up to tournaments as often. The answer is simple: that's not the kind of love I have for the game.
My chess is intuitive. It's emotional. It's almost poetic. I play for the sake of playing. Like someone who wanders aimlessly through a beautiful city, just to enjoy the scenery. 🏞️
I will never memorize all the plays of the immortal match. But I have lived some matches that were immortal for me. Because they left their mark on me. Because they cured me on a bad day.
I think it's beautiful for those who study. For those who make plans. For those who want a title, a rating, a medal. But that's not the path I want to follow. What I feel for chess doesn't fit into a performance chart. 📊🚫
My game is imperfect. Full of mistakes, but it is sincere. Maybe that's why it is so mine.
I have been judged for not taking the game "seriously". But is there only one way to truly love something? Does all love have to be technical, methodical, professional?
Loving chess without theory is like loving someone without understanding all the reasons.
Just feeling. Just wanting to be close. 💘⚡
⚠️ The board is my place of rest. Not of competition. When I play, I don't want to beat anyone. I want to reconnect with myself. ⚠️
And if one day I want to learn more, let it be because I really want to. But until that moment happens, I will remain like this: passionate, intuitive, and absolutely satisfied with this love that does not need theory to be true.
Did you like the content? Do you also identify with me? I hope you approved! Big hug! 🤝😉
Note: This article was originally written in Portuguese (Brazil) and became the most viewed chess blog in the country during May 2025, with over 5,000 views and 220 comments, thanks to its organic reach on Google. I'm sharing this English version to reach a wider audience — even though it didn’t win any official award, it was truly embraced by the Brazilian chess community.
Today, on June 8th, my Chess.com account turns 8 years old — and though it's my account's birthday, this blog is my gift to all of you. Thank you!
https://www.chess.com/pt-BR/blog/NetoVelazquez/xadrez-que-amo-sem-teoria
