What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

Just recently I played chess with my oldest son to whom I introduced this beautiful game at the same age of six as it was introduced to me by my father.

He is now a young man with a passion for chess and the profession of  psychologist. He has a strong desire to win against his father like I had to win against mine. It could be that the win over father is somehow an achievement that would boost confidence and become a confirmation of adulthood. However, my son did not manage to win yet. But every time we play I need to think deeper and deeper as he is improving his game all the time.

One advantage I have, still, is the previous work on chess I did. Appart from the chess books and games I analysed, I numerous times kibitzed my father playing against different chess players. From that particular experience some crucial points stayed in my mind. Two of them I can share with you.

What it stayed in my memory, which I transferred it to practice, is that nothing is over, till it is over and that nothing looks as it looks at the first glance. As in chess as in life!

So, to go to the game of chess with my oldest son.

We started with by the book oppening and positioning our figures in the way that would be giving us advantage. Some figures, some players, position in a way to be “forgotten” till the right time comes, where you decided to give the as a “present” or to use them as a real force. However, as in life, you need to fight for that time to come.

Here comes a beautiful, and if practiced as a manipulation, dangerous concept.

You aim to give the impression to the opponent that the moves you want him/her to do  are his/her idea. If successful, the right time for the right move is coming sooner. As in chess as in life.

It is exactly what has happened. My son attacked my two figures at the same time, and so happy about the possibility to get a serious advantage started to look satisfied and proud. However, at the time I wanted to see how the baits could work, subconsciously testing the psychology of my oldest son. I played using the legendary Mikhail Tal daring concept. Giving some positions here and there, and making the opponent to become satisfied how the game goes. Then when the opponent is so sure that win is his/hers, when all on the surface looks like the game will be over, then the opponent makes a crucial mistake, going for materialising, or simply “eating”, instead of thinking deeper.

As in chess as in life.

The moment he took my rook, I did not react, but left a minute or so, to see the reaction. When I saw that the reaction was overwhelmingly satisfying, I moved my pawn opening my Queen giving a Chess to his king while at the same time freeing the place to position my horse for double chess on the King and Queen in my next move.

It shows, in chess as in life that the pawns are the soul of chess!

The game was over and my son, as me with my father, got very disappointed.

The time will pass, we will be playing chess again and I would be the hapiest person on the earth, when my son comes to his first win against me.

I remember how my father was happy that I achieved my first win. It was the indicator that his present on my sixth birthday of one small magnetic chess and chess primer book were not wasted but were put in the good working order bearing impressive results.

As in chess as in life.

That is why the chess is my favourite and hobby and pastime.

I like this quote of mine- as in chess as in life! Will be used from time to time. That you can not say about blackjack or poker. Those that would like to used it are constantly trying to win but will be continuing to constantly lose. Unfortunately in life involving so many innocent victims. You can see it infront of your eyes every day.

October 6, 2024

Darko Richard Lancelot

Philosophyofgoodnews

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