Chess and Spirituality

I've been playing chess for about a year and a half, and at times I've had these fleeting moments of feeling something that deeply transcends my understanding of simply playing a game. I was particularly interested in the way that chess can be so emotionally charged at times when we know it's just a game. I recently had this thought that felt true to me, which was that chess is a game of responsibility for one's decisions, and just as in life, you have to tell the truth in order to get honest responses. So I believe that when we see the game this way, we can really learn a lot of lessons about what it means to build character and the power that comes with self-reflection and feeling the consequences of attachment to our own pride. I used to ask all of the beginner questions, not realizing I was complicating things by seeking some easy-way-out solution. I think the answer to being better at chess is simple, you have to how to let go of outcomes and embrace mistakes. After finding this passion for chess, I realize why falling in love with our own beliefs and making excuses to fit those beliefs blinds us to the real freedom and value of fully embracing personal responsibility. I can see this in people I know who continually make bad decisions in life because they willfully ignore the one question that they know is going to make them suffer, which is "what am I doing that's causing me to keep ending up here?" just sort of wanted to get this out because it's been on my mind recently thanks for reading

I'm reminded of a quote from a former world champion:
“I am convinced, the way one plays chess always reflects the player’s personality. If something defines his character, then it will also define his way of playing.” – Vladimir Kramnik

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I'm not one for spiritual musings, but I agree with you that chess can teach us some very useful lessons about life and ourselves.

And I extend this to any endeavor a person fully commits to, because at that point improving at that skill or task means to also improve yourself as a person. It can be as simple as choosing healthier eating and sleeping habits for the sake of your performance, and can include reflecting on personality defects that may be inhibiting your progress.

For sure. I agree with you that it's part of full commitment to our goals. For instance, I've played guitar for about 18 years, and it's kind of funny how many times people would ask me why they still suck after playing for years and can't get better because it was already obvious to me that the question was a subtle way of avoiding the truth that you have to fully commit and allow yourself to be vulnerable to suffering through the process. I think it's easier to avoid that truth when learning an instrument or something of that nature because we can just believe it's something we're inherently bad at. But I think chess is somewhat different because it seems like believing that you're "just bad at chess" skill feels like saying to yourself "I'm just bad at thinking", which feels like a total cop-out, or at least it feels that way for me.

Ah, that's interesting, thanks for the different perspective... I hadn't thought that since chess is associated with intelligence that it's better at teaching humility... and yeah, I remember my first few 100 games it took humility to not give up, because I lost so much. Also, as you said, it's harder to give the excuse "I'm just bad at it."

I noticed you mentioned asking wrong questions looking for "easy way out solutions." That may be the benefit of your experience with guitar. A lot of beginners don't realize their questions are bad for this reason. Even questions that seem reasonable like "which book should I read" or "how often should I play." Of course sometimes those are good questions, but other times you start talking to the new player, and you realize their real question is "how do I get good without working at it."

I started taking up drawing, and noticed lots of parallels in the questions beginners ask.

I think Chess is very profound...  It's more than just a game.  It's a way to improve as a person, as a whole.  It makes you smarter, more patient, more focused, and teaches you how to lose - a lot.  

Yes it's spiritual, I think it's something you can feel in a spiritual way.