Even though I am much older than Lightstryder (Todd), I am not necessarily wiser because he has reached into the heart of “Wisdom”.  Todd is always hard on himself as he continues to reach for Perfection.  Some of us do that because we do NOT want to look face to face at Failure in anything that we do.  But with Chess, we ALL learn by mistakes, as we do in Life itself.  As my Grandfather once told me… “We should NOT place emphasis on our mistakes but place the importance on what we have learned from them.”  It would be a dull life for each of us if everyone was “Perfect” in everything that we do all the time.  I am so proud that I know Todd personally.  I only wish more people were following his example… this world would be a much better place to live in.

Great Blog, Chess has brought me closer to my sons who were raised by their mother after we divorced. So I didn,t have much of an input when they were growing up. (their step-dad did a good job, thou) But chess was something we could share and enjoy together, Their in their 40's now, we play each other on chess.com and what thrills me they are teaching their children now, so won't be long before I have even more chess games to play. Perhaps a family that plays chess together stays together.

   You make a very good point Marco. It is important for children (as well as some adults from my experience) to understand that losing is part of the game...and just like life, its full of ups and downs. Parents should teach their children that losing doesn't indicate failure, & to take each loss as a learning experience so as to know what NOT to do going forward.

   Resigning should only be considered when he/she has put forth his/her best effort & all possible options to save the game have been exhausted. For instance, playing to a draw when you know you can't win is a good strategy that should not be overlooked.

~The Doctor

I agree with you lightstyder but i wanna tell you only a different point of view: chess is important in our lives as every sport is important in life, but for a kid is important that parents don't put him in sport only to see win,  i think for a child is important to understand that lose is part of the game and part of the sports and obviously part of the life. Well in many "so called" chess players lose is not included because they resigns when the things goes bad, i think is important for kids and for part of audults to stay in the game till the game is finished....that's will teach you something not to resign!!  that's what i think about a bad custom in chess.

That's awesome Freelance!  Isn't it great how chess seems to start in your mind but ends up in your heart, and fuels the fire of passion.

Haha Cody that's great, 2D Juijitsu!!

Good for you Mack, thanks for your comment!  Sounds like you have a great imagination and that will only help you in life.  Keep it up Mack!

I have developed a skill playing chess my teachers says and she says i am visulizing things that havent even happened yet.

 

Yes Doctor,I agree totallu with You! And more it change my life & help me a lot to have more vision & better understanding of people & life,more I love chess & more it become my passion. And more it becomes my passion, more it helps me to have a better control of myself & all the situations! 

 

All the time it seems, I'll be doing something and I'll think to myself,  "Wait, you have to do this before you can do that." almost like backing up my pieces when attacking. And when I watch certain sports I realize how chess-like they are. MMA for example. Fighting is like a high intensity, violent chess game. The same goes for baseball.

I think anyone looking to improve their outlook on day to day problems or just improve their intelligence, should play chess regularly. 

 

Good post! 

That's a great point Doctor.  Just think of it, it would give parents a way to spend time with their children and something to discuss and explore together.  Excellent idea!

   I know what you mean. Over the years, chess has helped me in long & short-term decision making & rationalize the rewards/consequences for each desicion. AND I may have picked up a little more patience along the way. LOL

   Personally, I feel that children who are interested in chess should have mentors to teach them the game. I mean...if the game can help us in this way, how much more will it help our children in their mental development? Train 'em up while they're young I say.

~The Doctor