It is often correct to say that if you can win in Chess, you can win in life. This game treated as the game of intellectuals…but I will say this is a game for anybody who has common sense and patience. This is a small attempt to connect the qualities which can help you to win the game of chess can help to succeed in life
STUDY MOVEMENTS
We are living because we are moving. The first thing you have to do to learn how to play chess is how to move your pieces. Like in any other game, there is a law which we have to follow and Chess is no exception. Learn your board. Learn the movements, correctly and completely. There are some movements only who studied about chess know like Enpassent & Castling. If we wish to improve in the game we should understand and practice these fine points to use it to our maximum advantage. In life too, studying the minor details or fine points of life is important to win over others, especially in a competitive world. The knowledge will surely give you an edge on others. Study the life’s small principles which take you to glory.
KNOW YOUR POSITION
Self awareness is very much important when we wish to move forward in our life. We need to know where we stand. What is our strength and what is our weakness. We need to check our position along with the opposition’s. Study your enemy well. Study your weaknesses as well. There is a saying, if you want to know more about you, ask your enemy as he is the person who is following your movements. To win a game we need to closely watch our position every movement of the play. We have to have a wider look into the 64 cells and all the 32 pieces….In life we need to be alerted to the changes in our environment, society etc. to get along.
TAKE POSSESSION OF MAXIMUM SPACE…CELLS
One of the basic of opening your game is that you should always allow each piece to have the maximum freedom. For example, a rook can travel only in open straight lines. So, if the way of rook is blocked, the power of rook is not utilized. A Knight can jump over other pieces. It can reach to 8 cells as well. But if you keep it on side of the board, it’s access will be limited to half. Also you have to place your pieces supporting one another. Express ourselves to the maximum. Let our talents know to others…It is also important that you support your colleagues and take support from them. Don’t take risks when it is not necessary. Even when it is necessary, consider the pluses and minuses. Think about the possibilities and place yourself in a better situation where you can take maximum advantage out of life.
PROTECT YOUR KING(VALUES)
King is the ultimate piece in Chess. It doesn’t matter how many pieces left in the board, if you can get hold of enemy’s king, you are won. Whatever pieces you lost, if you still posses your king, you are not failed. True? Not true, but true if the King can move around without block. So, we should protect our values and all our activities should be concentrated in our ultimate aim to defeat our enemy or circumstances without giving out our values. Castling is best before you start your attack on your enemy. Protect yourself before you jump on others. Do your homework.
THINK…PLAN…DECIDE
This is one virtue that makes the game the ultimate one of intelligence. A movement should be the result of your thoughts and it should not be an ignorant one. Like life, in game of chess a lost opportunity may not come back, especially if you are playing with a strong opponent. Take maximum benefit of your opportunities, but to do that you have to think well, plan your course of action, possible reactions and counter movements you can have. One who think well, plan well and do well cannot be defeated by a meager opponent. Decisions are important and that makes our life possible. Always think and plan before deciding. Think before and faster than others. Once a logical conclusion is arrived go by it. When you exchange consider the values and the benefits and then exchange. Middle game is very important. Patience is required.
REACTIONS? DON’T BE EMOTIONAL
When you planned a trap and your opponent has made the move which you feel will benefit you most. But, don’t rush your actions. Just study the case once again thoroughly to make sure that what you are doing is correct. Or if an unexpected move blocked all your plans till now, don’t get emotional and give up the game until it is clearly over. There could be always a chance left. Don’t be taken by the style or size or age of the opponent. At the end of the day it is the movements…that matters.
FINISH IN CONFIDENCE
A good start or a very good middle game does not provide a winner, but a good end game. It is also true that a badly playes start and middle game not allow a chance for an end game. You have to use all your brilliance and versatility in this time since there are many places to move but limited pieces to do that. Always support your pieces…protect your king, move safely…move aggressively…plan creatively…Don’t give up until you are won. Even if you are failing don’t give up until it is clearly evident. Remember one thing. The smallest piece pawn can be converted to the mightiest piece Queen if you can reach to the last lane of it. So, the value of successful pone is equal to the Queen. This is true to all our talents. A small talent can get you the most accomplishing results. When end is in sight, don’t over joy or panic.
Success or failure, relax and accept it gracefully. Each success will lead us to further glory and each failure will teach you something new which help us to grow ourselves.
I love Chess and I love to play it and win. I used to win many times, of course in small times. I tried my luck district levels, but ended with 3 or 4 points in an 8 match game. But in my friend’s circle I used to be the master, though one of my friend used to beat me later. He is one person who struggled a lot in his earlier periods, but now is a CEO of a multi million dollar company in India. No other example is required for me to assert that if you can win in Chess you can win in life.
(This review is dedicated to Sumit, who suggested me to write about it...)