chess happiness

we spent a great deal playing chess otb and in online.
do we remind us to be happy while playing chess.
remind us that we really enjoy it. love chess.

inspired by http://whattheheckisarbejdsglaede.com/ happiness at work. we should be happy while playing.

People who are happy. are more creative - more awake. get more done because they really enjoy being here.
any suggestions how to re insert chess happiness?
even if chess is not work I think it makes sense.

be happy that you exist!

If we had not welcomed the arts and invented this kind of cult of the untrue, then the realization of general untruth and mendaciousness that now comes to us through science—the realization that delusion and error are conditions of human knowledge and sensation—would be utterly unbearable. Honesty would lead to nausea and suicide. But now there is a counterforce against our honesty that helps us to avoid such consequences: art as the good will to appearance.

One time in an OTB tournament I was a bit depressed after a loss, and the next round I was paired down.  And against this guy I wasn't gaining any advantage and had already lost some tempo with a few stupid moves.  Sitting there essentially feeling sorry for myself suddenly I noticed a person watching my game... it was a friend of mine that hadn't entered the tournament but came on the last day to say hi.  This really cheered me up in the middle of the game, and I got creative.  I found a pawn sac that let me have some key squares and activity.  I got an imposing (but probably equal) position and went on to win.

After the game my opponent even made the comment that "I thought I was doing fine but you started finding all the right moves"

So I agree, attitude matters, it's too bad we can't always choose to be happy heh.

I agree. If I get nervous while playing, I make myself miserable, and losing is unavoidable. When I get into the zone, chess is one of the happiest activities of my life. Maybe we need to give ourselves a break and remember that losing is only a pathway to a deeper understanding of the game.

Chess seems to put me in a state of flow, This is joy to me and why chess is such good escapism.

I believe most people who play chess don't really enjoy playing as much as they enjoy winning.

Just notice how everybody is obsessed with improving (their rating), at least in this forum. I wonder how many people would stop playing istantly if they were told their rating would not improve.

I think everybody can improve if they stop imporoving they just haven't found the right approach.

Playing chess is like playing golf, take either to seriously and you forget it is supposed to be fun. 

Not true, reach a decent level (e.g. 1800 FIDE) and you'll see that improving is not something you should give for granted.

If you have a full time job and other interests in your life, then there's only a limited amount of time you can dedicate to chess.

I didn't say it was easy to improve but if you have always learned by doing this way maybe you should try another way of learning.

if you always learned by reading books - maybe watching video - getting a trainer  - some I didn't come up with.

ok I get that, but you (for example) talk about chess like it's a journey of self-improvement towards a clear goal (e.g. 2000 FIDE? FM?).

It seems impossible to conceive that somebody might play chess simply because he enjoys it. And he's not *willing* to put in the time and effort to improve, he just enjoys playing as a pasttime.

Wonderful story my dear waffllemaster (#4)....Sorry, if it's 14 months late........(emotions are the essence of chess). 

The funny thing is how if everyone improves there skill, your rating will not climb even if you get better. Thus in some ways chess rating acheivement is a rat race.

Not everyone can be master. In all aspects of life humans seem to want domination.

I love chess literature.

but remember to be happy even if you do not improve.

remind yourself that you don't have to make a living by playing chess.

"What is the purpose of playing chess?" 

Chess provides us the platform to mentally engage ourselves, though it should be noted the role of the game in society has evolved through the centuries.

For me personally, it most certainly provides me an opportunity to cultivate virtues which will help me in life, strength, courage, good judgement, calmness in crisis, confidence, quickmindedness among others.  

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/off-topic/favourite-quotes