What did you think of chess/chess players before you got into the game?
The first time I came across a chess set, I pictured it as something that was no more than a unique decor for a library, an ornament that added flavour to the vast number of books.
I never imagined that any chess player would say ", seeing that the best grandmasters had to study chess hours a day all their lives, often giving up other pursuits and free time, was pretty shocking. "
I never gave chess players a thought. It's like what I think about stenographers. EDIT: I meant Steganographers.
Totally hated stenographers before I met one and fell in love. It was like romeo and Juliette. As the years passed, they did grow to love her and see that even Stenographers can be decent people, if given a chance.
Her parents, though, have never accepted it, and refuse to allow our children into their home.
So what were your preconceptions of the game of chess/chess players before you really got into the game? Did you picture stereotypical nerdy kids when imagining chess players? Or did you put chess players on an intellectual pedestal? Write your thoughts here!
My experience was the exact opposite. I had initially thought that chess is all about moving pieces. Rook moves horizontally and vertically, king moves one square around him and so on. Suddenly things became more complicated as I played on.
I watched them play. They stare at a board with wood carvings on top. I thought they where just admiring it. I thought the the game is who can stare the longest and not blink. I thought they are praying since they have their head bowed. Watching them is like going to a museum looking at exhibits over a roped area. No sweat, muscle strain, grunting, kicking, slapping, jumping, running and definitely no blood spilled. However, you occasionally would see someone pull their own hair... So, what's the big deal that someone can move a small piece of wood?!!!
It was like romeo and Juliette.
It lasted three days, and five people died?
Is this some kind of sick joke? Do you think it is funny?
It was like romeo and Juliette.
It lasted three days, and five people died?
Is this some kind of sick joke? Do you think it is funny?
I'm not sure and can't speak for madhacker but most people don't seem to actually understand Romeo & Juliet but quote it anyway. It's not at all romantic. As my daughter correctly put it, Romeo was more in love with the idea of being in love than Juliet.
So yes, while I'm happy for you and wish you the best, I did find madhacker's post funny.
Before I learned how to play, I thought chess was a complicated game with many rules that I would never learn/remember, let alone master. I thought that a great player had the ability ability to calculate 15-20 moves ahead. Once I learned how to play chess when I turned 17, this whole new world opened up to me... Nope, no one really calculates 20 moves ahead per turn, but the theory involved in chess was so complex and interesting! Also, seeing that the best grandmasters had to study chess hours a day all their lives, often giving up other pursuits and free time, was pretty shocking.
So what were your preconceptions of the game of chess/chess players before you really got into the game? Did you picture stereotypical nerdy kids when imagining chess players? Or did you put chess players on an intellectual pedestal? Write your thoughts here!