The scene:
Boring Bob will be the cynical customer.
Sexy Susan will be the sales representative selling chess enthusiastically.
Boring Bob
Why would
I want to play chess? I mean its like watching paint dry after
all isn’t it?
Sexy
Susan
Well, where
do I start? The game can be very beautiful when you get to know
it better. You can play beautiful sacrifices and combinations
to make beautiful games. You can have the satisfaction of outwitting
your opponent tactically or positionally.You can enjoy watching
your chess grade go up year after year, because there is a grading
system both nationally and internationally. This can give you
a tremendous sense of achievement.
Boring Bob
But it takes
ages doesn’t it. You have to sit there for ages just for
your opponents reply.
Sexy
Susan
There is
a wide range of time-limits which you can play chess to. For
example if you wanted a quick game, then there is what is know
as "blitz" chess which can be from 3 minutes to 30
minutes. But also when your opponent is thinking, you can still
try and second guess your opponent’s reply and make plans
in preparation.
Boring Bob
But even to
learn the moves would take ages wouldn’t it? And then there’s
all those fancy words to learn. I mean with the game of pool
for example, you can get into it immediately.
Sexy
Susan
No, learning
the moves and terminology can be learnt in a very short
time. After learning the basic rules, there are teaching resources
on the web such as at Exeter’s
chess club and there are excellent teaching software packages
available such as Chess Mentor by Aficionado.
Once you have learned the basics, you can start playing chess
and enjoying it. There is even chess on the web now for example
at the Internet
Chess Server (ICC) so whatever level that you are at, you
can find an opponent which you have a chance of beating and
start building your confidence up.
Boring Bob
But then there’s
all those openings to learn which would take ages and would
not be very interesting would it?
Sexy
Susan
You can
choose openings which suit your style and personality. Some
openings you may find more dull than others. If you're really
worried about having to know loads of theory, you can avoid
certain lines. The important thing is to know the principles
and themes behind the moves. Then the moves will follow naturally.
Some people
do get enjoyment from the vast amount of opening theory there
is in chess, because they are in search of the "ultimate
truth". Because chess is much more complex than say noughts
and crosses, the "ultimate truth" is very difficult
if not impossible to arrive at. But this simply adds to the
enjoyment of the game! Top grandmasters are "discussing"
opening ideas when they play each other. They add value to the
existing opening theory which has to evolve in order to search
for the truth.
Also nowadays,
with programs like Chessbase,
you can learn openings in a more enjoyable way because games
can be stored with full multimedia sound effects and movies.
You can even get the advice of programs such as Fritz to try
and find that "ultimate truth".
Boring Bob
But what will
chess give me which will be useful in other areas? I mean its
just a game after all.
Sexy
Susan
Well to
be a good chess player, you have to develop your talents as
a manager, an artist, a competitor, a logical thinker, a psychologist,
and a team player to name but a few.
Boring Bob
I don't believe
you! How can chess for example be useful for your managerial
skills?
Sexy
Susan
Well in
some games, you can use a beautiful sacrifice which your opponents
and on-lookers didn’t expect, or it can be a systematic
accumulation of small advantages to accomplish your overall
goal, which you look back at that game like an Artist looks
back at his masterpiece. And because there is a notation for
writing down your game, you share it with chess friends and
other people that also have an interest in the game. Nowadays
you can even publish them on the Internet to share them with
the world!
Boring Bob
Well okay,
but how is chess competitive? I mean after all its played between
2 eighty year pensioners with false teeth who have got no better
way to spend their afternoons.
Sexy
Susan
Well chess
is becoming a young person’s game with most grandmasters
in their twenties. There are lots of tournaments being organised
every year. Take a look at the event
calendar on Barnet
Chess Club's site. There are also loads
of clubs which you can join which have leagues and cups,
and trophies to be won.
Playing
for a chess club, where you are part of team, can give you a
flavour of team comradry, and team effort. Chess will provide
you with an interesting "escape" It can take your
mind off everyday problems, and take you into its own world
and thus help you relax. [It can also be a good excuse to the
wife for getting out of the house, in order to go down the pub
later with the chess clan :-) ]
But don’t
just listen to me, about what I think, have a look at some famous
chess quotes from people that have really played enjoyed
the game to a high level.
Boring Bob
Well I might
give it a try. Maybe there’s more to chess than meets the
eye.
The end!
