chess: fun or evil

Two other reflections regarding your concern, Chessica, is that chess, as most players realize, is much like life.  We go to school throughout our lives to be able to apply classroom learning to real life.  It's generally thought that those who do better in life are those who have done well in school, though we know that isn't always the case.  Just like in school, there are bullies and those who make fun of us while we're learning, but we also make some of our best lifelong friends there, too, and chess is no exception.  Some aggravators enjoy showing their natural human misbehavior which the rest of have to learn to deal with until they realize they aren't "the smartest knives in the drawer" -- that there's always a bigger or more cunning adversary who will eventually squash them and make them look stupid. A smart player knows how fallible he or she is.  You would think they would have learned this from playing chess.      

Secondly, about learning chess from books, viewing other games, DVD's, etc.  I'm sure there are many chess players who see the seeming futility of learning strategies which are already played and proven.  But isn't that the way life is, too?  We go through the same steps as most people, experience many of the same joys and sorrows as everyone else, step in the same mud puddles, yet we have to learn to do it to live. With chess, we can experience many of the fascinations others have, but we have a belief, that with all of the possible combinations, that we might do better than our predecessors.  To some players, the 'win' is a boost of ego and builds their self-esteem.  To other players, going through the motions of chess builds concentration and tests our mental agility, even though we may have studied the game for a long time.  How often do we find that school fails to prepare us for many of life's challenges?  The same is true of studying chess.  

There are so many combinations in chess, that even with study, again, as in life, we'll never know it all.  As with any human competition, and, again, life, the chess player learns to take advantage of opportunity from availability, human error, ineptness, or position.  As in life, some people are born to wealth, others to poverty, yet each must learn to negotiate within their environment.  It seems harsh, but it's reality.  At least on the chessboard, everyone begins, basically, with the same material strength, though I know there are some arguments for white's advantage.  (Today, I'm surprised someone hasn't called chess a "racist game".)

Here's another point about studying chess in advance of the game.  In school, we study history at all educational levels so that humankind learns from it's past.  I've forgotten the contributor, but it's been said that those who fail to learn from the past are destined to repeat it.  I think you will agree that this is also the true of chess.  I think all players, sooner or later, fall into some of the same traps because we are human and forget.  Remember, there is some form of human error in every game, one side more than the other.

I hope what I've written here adds some clarity to your frustration.  I, too, wish life wasn't as cruel as it often is, at times.  Many of us do.  But some good advice to coping with life, and you've no doubt heard this, learn when dealt lemons, make lemonade.  

   While chess can seem ugly, cruel, aggressive, tedious, and a lot more, it can also be beautiful in the way the moves produce a logical and natural sequencing of priorities.  The strategies can appear intricate as art work.  

Each chess player has their reason(s) for playing the game, and each player takes with them what they are able to see in it.  As with life, either we drink lemonade, or try to find a more suitable drink.  My experience is, after a lot lemonade and all things considered, chess offers a lot more flavor than most other options. We all have decide what suits us.

Thanks for taking the risk to post your frustration.  I believe you expressed a valid criticism. 

Learning through reading books and/or experiences isn't cheating.  It's natural for a person to seek for progress.

Some really in depth responses...  I honestly thought Chessica was making a joke with this post.  evil?  The very essence of what makes chess fascinating is learning how your mistakes work and graduating from one level to the next.  As ozzie claypot put it "becoming less incompetent".  

If we were to sit at every chessboard with the same knowledge we had the first time we sat down...maybe that would be like an IQ test?  

I think the idea to play Fischer Random might be best if that's your inclination.  If this original post is at all serious.  

This is what is wrong with allot of people in the world today. They think that everytime someone beats them at something they are trying to bring down there "self-confidence" instead of sportsmanly admitting that they are not as good. If you are just playing for fun then losing won't bring down your self-confidence anyway. So Chessica if you are playing just for fun then lighten up. Some people (including myself) think that chess is a beautiful game, and want to learn all the nuiances of the beautiful game that they can. They are not evil; just simply of another mindset than yourself. Thanks for your time, and I apologize if I was a little hard on you Chessica. No hard feelings.

What you have stumbled upon, chessica, is the oldest problem in human nature that is resident in your own mind. This has to do with the common human tendency to control every little thing other people think or do, even in their spare time.

This problem has inspired all of the modern western religions, many unjust laws in many countries, etc. Many wife-beaters and child abusers also have this problem, and use the abuse as a means of controlling their victim.

However, the important goal is to make this as free a society as possible, where a person can be allowed, even encouraged, to study any subject they desire for any reason ( except maybe known terrorists or drug dealers being admitted to the chemistry department in a university).

In such a society, the true criminals are those who want to control every little thing others think and do. YOU seem to have this problem in a bad sort of way, being worried about other people studying a few aspects of what you yourself see as just a game. If thats all it is to you, why is it such a big deal?

Another thing I want to point out. Lets momentarily compare chess to mathematics, momentarily setting aside the obvious differences. first came adding 2 and 2. This guy taught the next guy. Next guy used this information to figure out 4-2, and taught the third person. And this went on for millenia until now we have calculus and such, without which there would be no modern architecture, physics, good cars and planes, ICBMs, computers, and everything else that makes this world great. Why cannot this apply to chess too. We can learn everything possible about chess, which may very well teach us tons about the human mind and the way it learns that could apply to useful things also.It is an integral part of teaching humans how we function. It does not mean that you cant have fun just using your mind. But bottom line here is to live and let live.

Future Banned Book List for US Schools:

# Huckleberry Finn

# Catcher in the Rye

# Fahrenheit 451

# The Grapes of Wrath

# Mastering the Chess Openings

It truly bugs me to no end when people begin to knock "western religions" (by which we all know they mean any and all forms of cristianity), because they try to control everything people say, think, or do. This, however, is not the case. I admit that many people in these denominations have gone astray and have began to be openly hostile to people with other views than them, but this is not true christianity. Christianity in its pure and true form is not like this. Other than that I agree with you completly godlessaint, and you made very many good points.

an evil fun.

a fun evil.

chessica it looks like somebody hurt your feelings. dont let your self-esteeen and confidence be effected just becuz you got stomped!

chessica is a hater. how do you know if your opponent studies or not, because there better than you. some people got it some people dont

 hahhahaaa i loved the "last" one:D

 no no no no no...nobody has hurt my feelings :) and not at all about chess :) , I was just trying to speak the truth...oooopppsss :D

 Im not a "hater" :) trust me !

I complete;y understand that in any game one has to win and other , to lose. Its not that anyone is "better". for example...tha GM's playing , both are "better" still one loses,its a game of spontaniety smartness and timing!

But trust me, all your comments have encouraged me to improve;)

:)

Thank y'all for your precious comments.

I for one found your article thought-provoking, Chessica; I used to play this game internationally and have won tournaments and beaten grandmasters and all the usual hooey. Then in the space of two months a very good friend of mine (an IM who used to enter tournaments with me and stay with me and my girl) topped himself whilst playing in Kenya and a journalist friend asked me in a radio interview at a congress why I played chess. To my astonishment I found I had no answer to hand. I packed it up there and then - this was more than 20 years ago - and I have only recently succumbed to the seduction of the internet.

At the time, I was frustrated by the mechanical nature that I felt was developing within the game - I have always been something of a maverick and would study the openings only to the point where I could find a move to take my opponent 'out of the books', and ensure that we were on a level playing field.

I think you express a valid sentiment and I also rather liked Sir_Gawain's reflections; I am of the belief that feelings are much more important to one's individual 'wholeness' than any amount of cold logic, and anything that detracts from one's natural spontaneity is actually detrimental to your health. I'm very glad you posted what you did

I am glad that there is someone who has coherence of thoughts and understand human feelings honestly.

Thanks a lot for your comment.

 Bravo Chessica,potpuno si u pravu!You may chalenge me anytime...

Both.

Why do y'all want to   clog  up the worlds waterways with sticks?

oh, I know...

YOU= fun or evil?

it's not chess that's stupid, it's the one who plays it. and big letters doesn't mean I'm mad.

I think the OP just wants to play "recreational chess" . These players usually play a few games a year with family or friends and thats it. Many people play other games this way, bridge, checkers, monopoly , etc. The problem is when you join a chess site many, if not most, of the players are far beyond recreational play. There are serious tournament players to deal with and titled players and even some professional. Among all those there are even some fanatics of the game. They are more interested in becoming stronger players and winning than having fun...... but ofcourse when you are winning its a lot more fun too !  Recreational players should realize this and stay away from serious players .... failing this they shouldnt whine when crushed by those who actually work hard on the game in order to get better. They should instead be thankful for the free lesson they just received.