Page 2 - MIND MAP AND NOTES CH-7-THE MORALS OF CHESS

SUMMARY/NOTES

Chess is one of the most ancient and universal games known to mankind, for its
origin is beyond the memory of history.It has, for numberless ages, been the
amusement of all the civilized nations of Asia. –the Persians, the Indians and the
Chinese. Europe has had it above 1,000 years; America, too has not been far
behind.

The game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement. Several very valuable
qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, can be acquired or
strengthened by it. For life is a kind of chess, in which we have often points to
gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with. And in which there is a vast
variety of good and ill events that need to be tackled with prudence.

By playing chess, then, we may learn:

1. Foresight, which involves looking into future and considering the consequences
that our actions may have: for it is continually occuring to the player, 'If I move
this piece, what will be the advantages of my new situation? What use can my
adversary make of it to annoy me? What other moves can I make to support it, and
to defend myself from his attacks?

2. Circumspection, which involves surveying the whole chess-board, or scene of
action to ensure that we do not expose our pieces to danger, or miss any
opportunities to turn the moves of our adversary against him, or accidentally give
him any chances to win.

3. Caution, not to make our moves too hastily. This habit is best acquired, by
observing strictly the laws of the game, such as, “ If you touch a piece, you must
move it somewhere; if you set it down, you must let it stand.”

4. Perseverance which means learning by chess, the habit of not being
discouraged by present bad situations, the habit of hoping for a favourable change,
and that of continuing to move forward.

To achieve this, it is essential that when two players play a game of chess, there are
some things they must agree on:

First of all, they must decide whether the game should be played as per strict rules
or should there be some indulgences allowed. If one party wants to bend the rules,
the other should have the freedom to do so too.