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 Christmas
of 1980, I was ten years old. I ran tomy gifts just like my
brother and sisters. I received many gadgets and electronic toys
that beeped and lit up. They were the new toys that all children
asked for. Then as Id one gift I was shocked. It was
something I did not ask for and yet I was drawn to. It was a chess
set.
Family friends were over and
brought this chess set for me. I thought that chess was a grown up
game and I was intrigued. Steve, my friend who also happened to be
an adult, offered to show me how to play. He introduced me to
queens, kings, bishops, knights, rooks, and pawns. He showed me how
they all move independently and yet together. The geometrical
patterns also intrigued me. Some only moved diagonal, others moved
horizontal and/or vertical, while another moved only in right angles and
then there was the queen. The queen moved wherever she wanted and
yet she had rules to follow.
As we played and I
learned, my other shiny, beeping toys sat in the corner. I learned
how the purpose of the game is to capture the king and yet there is an
immense strategy of offense and defense. You need to know what you
are going to do several moves in advance and yet you need to be flexible
to your opponent’s moves. Each move builds on each other to create
one big offensive plan. This game has been around for centuries,
over a millennium and I was learning how to play.
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As time went on, I found other
people to play against; other adults, and then other peers. I
eventually joined the elementary school chess club. My neighbor’s
father taught me how to win in three moves. Of course, I learned
this by losing to him, but I learned how to lose gracefully. By
playing with older people, I lost a lot, but every time I lost, I learned
a new move that added to my knowledge of chess. Chess is a game of
patience and social skills, both, which I had to learn. It can take
hours or even days just to play one game, which is where the patience
comes in. You also have to learn how to read your opponent; his
confusion, his amazement, and his confidence, which he relates to you in
subtle gestures.
Chess has been with me ever since that day and remains one
of my fondest childhood memories. I have gained so much through
playing the game of chess, having it in common with so many others of
varying age. I can not tell you how many great friendships began
with just a friendly game of chess. So if you have never played, I
suggest you find that family member whether its a brother, sister, aunt,
or uncle and learn chess. Then give a child a simple favor that will
provide them with a lifetime of interactive fun and learning and teach
them the ancient wonders of the ageless game of chess.
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