After an emotionally exhausting day in the pleasurable world of being a boss I almost canceled a weekly meeting at the Chess Club with my dearest friend. My head was splitting with the worst sinus headache; I had a day that I’d prefer to forget and was not in the mood to extend the day. My intuition told me to just go. When I checked in my friend was not there yet. An absolutely beautiful little boy asked in the sweetest tone “Do you want to play a game with me?” I could not resist his enthusiasm so I said, “I bet you’re gonna’ whip me but sure.”
Confidence and Instruction
While setting up the pieces his first words were, “Never over estimate your opponent. Everyone is just one to five moves away from losing.” As we started to play he asked those dreaded words, “Are you ranked?” I explained that I’ve been coming to the club for several years but it is more of a social outlet and it takes my mind of things. As we played, this little boy talked about every move we both made. Although I’ve taken classes and played for quite some time, all of a sudden his advice simply clicked. He pointed out some strategies that I’ve heard time and time again but the way he explained it made perfect sense.
Communication
When I did make a good move he calmly stated, “That was the very best move you could have made.” After a while he stated, “We are perfectly even now but I am going to stop helping you.” I cannot even explain it but the horrible thoughts of the day, my headache and everything just stopped. We played the game through and it was one of the best games I ever played. He beat me but he did not completely pulverize me.
Self-Starter
I then learned from his lovely mother that this child had only been playing for eighteen months. He came home and asked both her and his father to teach him how to play chess. They admittedly initially blew him off, so he read a book and devised his own chess board with little play soldiers. After reading the book he joined a program and within weeks won every game and even beat his instructor. He now is under the tutelage of a Grand Master. What a gift it was to play chess with that young kid. In one hour he taught me to toughen up, anything is possible, excitement is infectious and to stop blocking my own bishops!
We don’t teach chess here at DCSC but if you’re looking for a shipping solution, give us a call. 314-664-2200
