Our oldest son, Derek, is a senior in high school. Sometimes they are asked to do creative writing and once in a while we get a sneak peek at these masterpieces! When he read this one to me, I asked if he would let me put it on the blog . . . especially since I can’t seem to find the time or energy to write anything myself. He kindly agreed. So here are Derek’s thoughts on the game of chess.
Chess: A Game of Frustration and Elation
Chess…..what is it? Chess is a strategy game requiring intense concentration and patience. The way it works is there are two players and each has 16 pieces. These pieces are then placed in a specific order on either side of a board. This board has a total of 64 squares, 32 light squares and 32 dark ones.
Sometimes, setting up the board can get rather confusing if both players suddenly forget how to set it up. They will get it set up the way that they think is right but as they start playing they keep thinking to themselves “Something just isn’t right here.” Then they will proceed to set it up a few more times until they finally get it right.
Next, there is the matter of deciding the time control they want to play. For those of you who may not know, time control is basically how much time each player gets in the whole game to make moves. Here is an example: Fred and Bob decide to play a 5 minute game so they punch 5 minutes into their chess timer. They start the timer, Bob makes his move, and then hits a button on his side of the timer. This button stops Bob’s time and starts Fred’s time. After Fred makes a move and hits his button, his time stops and Bob’s starts again. They do this every time they move and the game is won if someone runs out of time, gets checkmated, or resigns.
As for the frustration and elation, this comes from the moves you make. Making good moves and outsmarting your opponent gives you a good feeling. You then want to lean forward and yell in his face, “Haha! Bet you didn’t see that one coming!” It also gives you a false sense of invincibility which tells you that you are really smart and that you should be a Grandmaster (the highest ranking a chess player can attain). Then along comes a guy who has a rating that is 100 or 200 points lower then yours and he promptly whoops the stuffing out of you. That “Grandmaster” feeling leaves you and you feel like the worst chess player of all time.
This same frustration happens when you make stupid moves that you know you shouldn’t make. For instance, let’s say you move your queen to a square that forks your opponent’s king and rook. Well, you’re feeling pretty smug about yourself until you realize that your queen just got captured. “What!!??” your brain screams. You then realize that your enemy had a bishop that you did not notice before and he has used it to nab your queen. Your brain then proceeds to punch and slap itself silly for committing such a horrible blunder. It then faints and is taken to the mental health hospital for recovery. While all this is going on, your face almost explodes while trying to keep a calm, carefree demeanor.
So, some of the things I talked about are slightly exaggerated, but I think you get my point. Chess is a game of roller-coaster emotions but ultimately it’s pretty fun. Just remember, the next time you see a couple of stone-faced guys playing chess, they might not be as calm as they appear to be.
-Derek
- The Adventum CD Collection – Sale Now - March 27, 2021
- Alternative To Facebook Option - January 30, 2021
- The Beauty of the Hoary Head - January 2, 2021
JL Byler says
I totally understand it, Derek. Been there too, it’s so much like life I suppose that’s why it’s fun and challenging.
Donna Wray says
I do believe Derek has some of the same writing talent his mother has. Now, believe me, it did not come from his grandmother! I was really impressed with your writing, Derek, and I don’t know the first thing about chess. Keep it up!! from a “proud” grandma!
Kendra says
I will have to show him this sweet comment! 😉