Play Chess
Chess is an almost two millennium old game that, to this day, continues to be appreciated and enjoyed by players all around the world, mainly for the highly intellectual nature of its game play. It is both beautifully simple in its easy-to-learn rules, and mind-numbingly difficult in the high amount of strategy and planning it requires. Because of this, chess is enjoyed by people of all ages and all skill levels worldwide. If you are looking to become involved in chess, consider the following reasons as options to persuading you into playing this elegant, wonderful game.
1. Intellectual skill
The main reason that many people take up chess is because of the intellect required to play it. Careful chess playing requires calculations and forethought that force the chess player to develop strategy and problem solving skills of an advanced nature. Furthermore, highly advanced chess players will study strategies and tips that involve careful logical study and, occasionally, advanced mathematical calculations. The logical basis upon which chess is based can be evident in the fact that computers can been programmed to play chess, the most famous of which was the supercomputer Deep Blue, which managed to defeat international grandmaster Garry Kasparov in 1997. Chess is ideal for teaching these logical and mathematical skills. Benjamin Franklin clearly thought this way as well, enumerating foresight, circumspection, caution, and perseverance as the four best qualities taught by the game of chess in his work The Morals of Chess.
2. Focus and discipline
Chess, like any pursued subject, requires a high level of concentration and discipline in order to succeed at play. Engaging in chess can teach the serious student discipline of an advanced nature, most especially because of the infinite room for improvement. Furthermore, because strategy must constantly be considered, no matter whose turn, chess teaches focus.
3. Involvement
Even today where so many opportunities exist to play chess against a machine, many people continue to play chess against another human, whether it be in person, online, or otherwise. This is because the best strategy for improving in chess is to play and learn from an opponent. Studying chess can lead one to become involved in chess clubs and tournaments, and to meet many people in the course of improvement.
4. Easy to learn
Though a highly complex game in play and strategy, the basic game of chess is not terribly difficult to learn. Because of this, many children are taught chess at a young age, in countries around the world, and is one of the few fields in which children do not infrequently claim high titles. This is because chess requires no advanced knowledge unattainable by children: it is entirely based on skill and logic, and becoming an expert at the game is based on the child’s application and intellectual development.