#855 Playing chess makes me feel like a King

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Chess. What a game. Most every one I know has played it at some time or another yet people do not really seem to stick with it. At least that is the way it is around the circle of people I hang out with.

harry potter wizard chess set 1ksmiles amazon

I have always liked playing chess. I remember staying up till the wee hours of the morning playing Chessmaster on my Commodore VIC-20 in the early eighties.

Chess is believed to have originated in Eastern India, in the Gupta Empire c. 280 – 550 CE, where its early form in the 6th century was known as chaturaṅga, literally four divisions [of the military] – infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariotry, which were represented by the pieces that would evolve into the modern pawn, knight, bishop, and rook, respectively. Around 1200, the rules started to be modified in southern Europe, and around 1475, several major changes made the game essentially as it is known today.

medieval chess set

In the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance, chess was a part of noble culture; it was used to teach war strategy and was dubbed the “King’s Game” and chess was often used as a basis of sermons on morality.

During the Age of Enlightenment, chess was viewed as a means of self-improvement. Benjamin Franklin, in his article “The Morals of Chess” (1750), wrote:

“The Game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired and strengthened by it, so as to become habits ready on all occasions; 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 are, in some degree, the effect of prudence, or the want of it. By playing at Chess then, we may learn:

I. Foresight, which looks a little into futurity, and considers the consequences that may attend an action […]

II. Circumspection, which surveys the whole Chess-board, or scene of action: – the relation of the several Pieces, and their situations […]

III. Caution, not to make our moves too hastily […]”

dragon chess set

One of my favorite things about chess, other than the fact that it is a sort of thinking game, is the different variations and styles of chess sets available on the market. More than chess itself, it is the cool chess sets that make me smile. Throughout this post I have offered several examples of cool chess sets. There are all sorts of styles ranging from whimsical to gothic or fantasy to Hello Kitty or The Simpsons. I have seen folks playing in the park with pieces the size of a small child. Whatever you want you can probably find.

alice in wonderland chess set 1ksmiles amazon

If I am playing chess, especially on a cool looking chessboard, you know I am all smiles.

What about you? Are you a fan chess? When did you learn to play? Click here to leave a comment and share your opinion and experience. Would love to hear from you.

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Here are some other posts you might like to read:

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18 Replies to “#855 Playing chess makes me feel like a King”

  2. How good are you playing chess Troy? I play a lot. I have two people I play via email, and I play on two online sites. I’m also part of another organization where we play via email but that one can be a bit more complicated to play. I’ve been playing since I was, I think, 12, but didn’t start getting good until college. I still make lots of mistakes but I get there eventually.

    I’m assuming you never saw this post of mine:
    http://www.imjustsharing.com/comparing-chess-to-blogging-in-5-moves/
    Mitch Mitchell recently posted…Writing Articles That Gain Attention On LinkedInMy Profile

    Reply ↓

    • I am not so good at all. I do not play as much as I would like to. Time and stuff get in the way.
      When I was in elementary school , so around 1979, I had this idea: Wouldn’t it be swell if I could play chess with my dad who lives far away on some sort of tv where we could both see what each other was doing?
      So yeah, I invented internet chess.
      I’m just saying.
      You’re welcome.
      Troy S. recently posted…The Learning Journey Techno Gears Marble Mania GalaxyMy Profile

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    • Wow! How did I miss this comment of yours? And such a good one too? Thank you Iva.
      Yes, I wish I played chess more. Or what was that game? Oh yeah, RISK. I really like that one too.
      Thanks for your comment. You rock!
      Troy S. recently posted…What is a real woman?My Profile

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  5. Wow i have been playing this game a bit but never knew the history. Now i know i wasn’t a crazy fun of it. Had i been i would have known this. Great piece of history there.

    Reply ↓

  6. Chess is such a classy game. At least in my opinion it is because of its engrossing and captivating nature. I used to play several chess games at a stretch for hours. Simply love the game and also loved your post Troy.

    Thank you 🙂

    Reply ↓

  7. Sadly, not much now! Don’t have the same old companions with whom I used to play. That is why I lost the habit of playing regularly.

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