Well said, SirTimbo. The generosity and graciousness of so many chess.com members is brought to my attention time and time again, renewing a grateful spirit in my heart. "Play -- Learn -- Share" is the motto of this site, and it is wonderful indeed to see how beautifully this manifests itself in this online realm where people from all over the world come together to do those three things.
If the sole benefit of all this were that we gained further insight into a fascinating and ancient board game, that by itself would be a good thing. But on some level I think we all recognize that this isn't just about chess. At its best, this site is a place where all of us get to practice essential human qualities: fairness, perseverance, generosity, humility and friendliness, to name just a few. SirTimbo's moving testimony is a reminder of the richness of what can happen on a site like this.
I want to express my gratitude to the caliber of player who resides here on chess.com, not only in level of talent...but unselfishness, humility, and grace.
Vux, a level 2100 player, was kind enough to grant me (a lowly level 1300 player) a game. Vux quickly chewed me up and spat me out in game one...admonishing me that I would be granted only one game. I took my beating and thanked Vux for the opportunity and lesson. Touched I suppose, by my own humilty and respectfulness, Vux granted me an additional game.
I was pleased with my next opening and perhaps even earned a bit of Vux's respect, but I later noticed that Vux was granting concessions. When it became evident that Vux was willing to lose just to motivate me, I thanked him/her for the lesson and resigned...
I don't recall if the game was rated or unrated. Frankly, it didn't matter. More importantly, it didn't matter to Vux, who was clearly willing to lose simply to motivate me to pursue the game of chess...classiest move I've seen in this game.
Salute Vux, you've provided multiple lessons...
Bo