‘Chess is a miniature version of life. To be successful, you need to be disciplined, assess resources, consider responsible choices and adjust when circumstances change.’ – Susan Polgar, Hugarian-American grandmaster.
Chess quotations have rocked our world from 6 ad, when the game of chess was invented in India. Archaeological evidence supports the date and place of the invention. What we do not know is whether earlier forms of chess were played previous to the date specified, and in a place other than India.
Quotations from grandmasters, musicians, scientists, artists, celebrities, politicians, et al, have amused, stimulated, excited our imaginations and strengthened us over time. Some of these sayings have been passed down from generation to generation, mostly by word of mouth, though others may also have been put into some written form. They represent a truth or some bit of useful wisdom that is based on common sense or practical experience. The power of a quote is to realize the truth or wisdom which it contains.
Albert Einstein described chess as a highly intellectual game. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle believed that “excellence at chess is one mark of scheming mind.’’ Benjamin Franklin described chess in this way: “The game of chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities of the mind are to be acquired and strengthened by it, so as to become habits ready on all occasions, for life is a kind of chess.’’ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe assessed chess in the following manner: “Chess is the touchstone of intellect.’’ Alekhine argued that chess is art.
But Emanuel Lasker refuted Alekhine’s view: “By some ardent enthusiasts chess has been elevated to a science or an art. It is neither; but its principal characteristic seems to be – what human nature mostly delights in – a fight.’’ Karpov encompasses all in his recognition of chess: “Chess is everything: art, science and sport.’’ But Botvinnik puts it another way: “Chess is the art which expresses the science of logic.’’ Bronstein said that “chess is imagination.’’ Tarrasch summed it up beautifully: “Chess like love, like music, has the power to make people happy.’’
People have varying opinions about what chess is. The debate has been echoing for years, and no doubt for years it will continue.
Playing tournament chess in which you compete for honours, is altogether thrilling and exacting. You set out to win every time, while simultaneously enjoying the thrill of playing the ancient game. Gustav Schenk expressed the wonder, the beauty and the satisfaction you derive from chess when he said: “There must have been a time when men were demigods, or they could not have invented chess.’’
From the time the Guyana Chess Association was established, I enjoyed the good fortune of opposing the finest players in Guyana over time. The majority of those players are now residing in North America, Europe, the Caribbean, Venezuela and Suriname. Few of the strong players of yesteryear remain in Guyana today, and those who do live here are more or less inactive. David Granger immediately comes to mind, so do Michael Sears, Neil Williams, Learie Webster, Loris Nathoo and Kenrick Braithwaite. The Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force fielded strong and memorable chess teams in the nineteen seventies and eighties. Granger oversaw the GDF team, and he himself was a pre-eminent chess player, employing tactical and strategic thinking in his quest to ensure victory during his games, and thereby moving cautiously and accurately. He reminded me during our exclusive campaigns of the Lasker saying: “When you see a good move – wait – look for a better one.’’
Chess remains an enigmatic pastime. It is still a mystery for the hundreds of millions of its devoted followers. Whatever it is, it brings us unlimited joy and satisfaction as we indulge in its intricacies. Vladimir Putin has been quoted as saying: “Chess makes man wiser and clear-sighted.’’ But Fischer puts everything in a nutshell when he said: “Chess is life.” And indeed it is.
Chess game
Sargissian v Mochalov
Event: Bronstein Memorial
Site: Minsk, Belarus
Date: February 11, 2014
Result: 1-0
White: Gabriel Sargissian
Black: Evgeny V Mochalov
WhiteElo: 2671
BlackElo: 2419
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 O-O 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. Be3 Ng4 9. Bg5 Bf6 10. Bc1 Bg7 11. h3 exd4 12. Nxd4 Ngf6 13. f4 Re8 14. Bf3 Nb6 15. b3 c5 16. Nc2 Nh5 17. Nb5 Bxa1 18. Nxa1 Qf6 19. Qd2 Nxf4 20. Qxf4 Qxa1 21. Qd2 Qe5 22. Nc7 Rf8 23. Bb2 Qe7 24. Nxa8 Nxa8 25. Qf4 f6 26. Rd1 Nc7 27. Qxd6 Qxd6 28. Rxd6 Ne6 29. e5 fxe5 30. Bxe5 Re8 31. h4 Kf7 32. Kf2 Ke7 33. Rd5 b6 34. Rd1 Rd8 35. Rxd8 Kxd8 36. Ke3 Bd7 37. h5 gxh5 38. Bxh5 Nf8 39. Bf3 Ng6 40. Bh2 Bf5 41. Be4 Bg4 42. Bc2 Kd7 43. Kf2 Kc6 44. Kg3 Be2 45. Be4+ Kd7 46. Bf5+ Kc6 47. Kf2 Bd1 48. Ke1 1-0.
Wolfgang Unzicker vs Bobby
Fischer, Varna, 1962
Black to play and win
Solution to last week’s chess puzzle
Carlsen v Gustav Gulbrandsen,
Norway, 2002
Qxa7 if Rxa7 Rxc8+ Qd8 Rxd8 + Nxf8+ if Rb8 Qxb8 Nxb8 Rxc8+ and Rxh8.
