A Gentleman's Guide to Playing Chess

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In relationships and in the game of chess, you need to treat your Queen with respect. Pay attention to her and, above all else, take care not to lose her. She’s the most powerful piece on the board, and without her you have little chance of winning. Also be aware of the enemy Queen. If she gets too deep into your territory she can wreak havoc with lightning speed, leaving a difficult position to salvage (or a difficult-to-explain lipstick smudge on your collar.)

Pawns are the most dispensable piece on the board. Once moved from their starting position, they can only move forward one square at a time. But from rags to riches, if a pawn makes it across the board to the last row (or rank, in chess lingo) on the other side, it can be promoted to any piece of your choosing.

Every pawn has the hidden potential to become something great. Sometimes falling in line and working toward an end goal is the right formula for long-term success. Just make sure you stand out enough so you’re not sacrificed for the greater good along the way.

In chess, every move has a purpose that needs to be carefully thought out. Take this concept and apply it to every situation. Don’t go in blindly when approaching a girl at the bar. Take a look at the ring finger, plan out your opening line, and read her facial expressions. When asking for a raise at work, have clear and concise reasoning as to why you deserve the big paycheck. Know what separates you from the pack and, of course, choose a day when the boss is in the best of moods. Having a strategy will go a long way to achieving your desired result. This same attitude works wonders in a game of chess.

Contrary to what you may have heard, size doesn’t matter, especially in chess. That 7-year-old sitting across from you might wipe you off the board in 10 moves, so approach every adversary with a healthy dose of respect. In chess, it doesn’t matter where you come from, how big you are, or what you do for a living. All that matters is making good moves and staying one step ahead of your opponent. Keep this lesson in mind regardless of the contest. Never assume you’ve got an edge on someone you’ve just met. 

Chess is governed by a specific set of rules that make it one of the most intriguing games in the world. After all, it’s been around for more than 1,500 years for a reason. Within those constraints, however, lies the possibility for endless creativity. There are more potential chess positions than there are atoms in the universe, and each game offers you the chance to create something unique. Be respectful of the rules, but don’t be afraid to push the boundaries of what’s possible. 

Almost anything done alone can likely be better accomplished with a little help from your friends. Connecting your Bishop and Queen on a long diagonal (called establishing a battery) can supercharge your attack and put your opponent back on his heels. The top players know that if all of their pieces are working in harmony with one another they will almost definitely cruise to an easy victory. When laying out a plan, know how to assemble an effective team and objectively assess each person’s strengths and weaknesses. You’ll be amazed at how much a well-constructed team can accomplish when a carefully thought-out plan is set in motion. 

Sometimes you’ve got to give to get. In 1956, 13-year-old Bobby Fischer sacrificed his Queen to defeat Donald Byrne, a top chess master, in what would become known as the “Game of the Century.” Fischer would go on to become one of the greatest ever to play the game. He knew that big risk could equal big reward. Nothing good in life was ever attained without risk. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and take a chance every once in awhile. Life’s too short to always play it safe.

Chess is a gentleman’s game. When you win, you shake your opponents hand and tell them, “Good game.” It’s a simple as that. No showboating. No gloating. No flashy end-zone dances to celebrate your superiority. It’s called chess etiquette, and it’s a code any self-respecting man should already know. A true King acts like they’ve been there before and sets an example for all the lowly pawns looking up at the throne.

Nobody likes to lose, but it’s how you lose and what you learn from it that separates the men from the boys. Every game of chess, and every setback in life, offers an opportunity to learn, grow and get better. It’s common in chess to sit down with your opponent when the game is finished for the postmortem. Players analyze the game step-by-step and discuss what they were thinking and other options they might have been considering. This way, every game serves as a learning experience, and both players are better for it. You’re going to face defeats in life—it’s inevitable. When you get knocked down, you’ve got to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and make sure you emerge just a little bit stronger and a little bit wiser.

The King can only move one square at a time but that’s because he doesn’t have to move much. The King is the most important piece on the board and all the other pieces serve one purpose, protect the King at all costs. In chess, every piece is willing to sacrifice itself to execute the winning plan. Work hard, take risks and push the boundaries of creativity, and one day you may end up sitting atop the throne.