Playing Chess helps expand the process of thinking
Chess is referred to as the King of Games or as the Game of the Kings. It is called as the King of Games because of the entertainment and challenge it poses to the players, which no other board game provides. It is also true that it the Game of the Kings as the primary objective of the game is to corner the opponent’s King by the forces of a player’s King. Chess is also referred to as a royal game, because the game came into existence way back in the 6th Century only as a learning tool for the royal princes to rule the kingdom and win over other Kingdoms.
The game of chess offers many benefits to the players and plays an important part in the quality of their life. It has been proven beyond doubt that children encouraged to learn and play chess at their early age performed well at their academic career and outperformed other children. Chess teaches various good traits of concentration, patience, visualization, decision-making, and execution of tactics and strategies.
In what way chess helps in the process of thinking? Let us explore this concept in this piece.
The game of chess involves two players sitting across a chessboard that has sixty four squares in it painted in alternate colors, preferably black and white. The sixty four squares are arranged in a square board having eight rows and eight columns. Each player is provided with 16 pieces, comprising of the chieftain King, the Queen, a pair of rooks, a pair of knights, a pair of bishops and eight pawns. The pieces are arranged in the board such that the King cannot be cornered in a single move by a player. There is no room for luck or chance, such as in dice or any other game, in the game of chess.
Thus, a player has to play a series of moves, take strategic positions, capture vital pieces of the opponent, control the board and then corner the opponent’s King. Both the players would be vying to do the same. A game of chess between two players of equal skill set will be a treat and excitement not just for the players but also the onlookers.
Now, the problem of finding a partner and allocating specific time for a game of chess with that partner can be done away with and any person, having interest in the game and anxious to play a game, can use his personal computer, browse for a website that offers online chess, find and select a partner who matches your skill set, and just start playing chess online. All this is possible thanks to the advancement of the technology and the World Wide Web.
Now, coming back to the question of thinking, the player needs to make the appropriate moves that will not only help in cornering the opponent, but also safeguard his own pieces. He has to have a plan and a series of tactics to achieve an objective – something like occupying the central e5 square or controlling the center of the board. The plan or his tactic might by nullified by a defensive move or a counter attacking move of the opponent. Then, the plan becomes void and another plan needs to be formulated.
As such, the game calls for serious thinking and deep concentration, visualizing the board in front, anticipating the counter moves from the opponent and strategy to tackle the response. All these for at least the next three moves are desirable to have better control over the game and understanding.
The game of chess is cruel in that it not only offers any chance but also punishes you harshly when you make a mistake. Therefore, the game and its result rest only on you as a player. That makes it more interesting and calls for deep thinking to get it right. This thinking process and deep concentration not only stimulates and trains your mind, but cultivates the habit of creative and critical thinking and weighing all available options before deciding to make a move. This not helps you win the game but also gain in your life.
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