Why Do I Play Chess?

Sometimes I am asked why I started to play chess in my thirties. My brief reply “I just love it”, of course, is only a top of iceberg and there is something else hidden deep down.

It was September 2015 when first time I discovered my interest in chess. Very soon I became a member of Chess.com where I started my chess journey as a complete beginner. So, why do I play chess? This question I was asked so many times that I started digging in my feelings. Maybe it happens because I like to gain techniques and skills I don’t currently possess, or I just like to be challenged, or chess brings some joy in my life. Maybe I think I have right qualities for chess: I am open to experiences, intellectually curious and have an active imagination. Maybe it's just the way to switch my mind off daily routine by submerging into the beauty of chess.

This question still remains open for me. Maybe it just occurs on its own. However, being sensitive to my inner feelings I can say that chess makes a profound impact on me: I started to use techniques and strategies from chess lessons every day in my life. In addition, my focus is getting better, I memorize new things faster and it builds my willpower to keep on going no matter what happens.

I could go on for hours about my love for chess. Instead, I would like to share with chess beginners some of my thoughts and hope this could be useful in the daily life too.

• Chess can take a lifetime to master, which is why you should pay attention to all available lessons while you are practicing. Set aside time every week to study. Every player needs a good schooling in chess rules as early as possible.
• Start small. Learning chess can be overwhelming. Choose one or two tasks to focus on at a time, and break those tasks down into smaller, manageable goals.
• Make a habit to play chess every day, even if it is just 30 minutes.
• It’s well known that repetition is the mother of skill. You will likely have to pick up the pieces and start all over again. Look at every failure as a chance to improve.
• Be patient. It’s not going to happen overnight.
• Sometimes it's going to be bad chess days. Don’t commit yourself to the pain of loss and play chess only until it makes you happy. Chess is a happy game, isn’t it?