Bobby Fischer in Argentina

Today I went into Frogtown Books in Toledo Ohio. I asked where the chess books were and the owner was kind enough to show me a bit of history. He pulled out a score sheet from a chess Tournament in Argentina. Bobby Fischer was playing black. It was in the old descriptive notation. Bobby lost in around 32 moves.

It was sweet to look at it. And it was comforting to remember that even the great ones take their losses.

All the moves and signatures are on one side because the game was short enough. I can imagine it framed and hanging on some wall in Argentina today.

If I had the extra cash, I would buy it, and hang it in my office.

Everyone must emotionally overcome their defeats.

One a Day Vitamin

I am trying to hold myself to one chess game a day. Unlike other maniacs that are trying to play down to one a day, I am playing up to it.

The philosophy is that if I can learn one chess thing a day, it is enough. Trying for more might just lead to a diminishing return.

The second part of this is that the game be as slow as possible against the highest rated opponent as possible. On FICS right now I am 1701. For me G-15 is too fast. But I take it if that is what is available.

I am sticking with Jeremy Sillman's starting opening recommendations. It is a sound if narrow path.

On another note, I surprised my wife by taking her to see a covered bridge today. She was delighted, and I am happy.

Fight the Temptation!

I need to call a friend. Do they have a group for Opening Switchers Anonymous?

I have been playing one opening for about a month now. I am gaining familiarity with it.

Today I won my FICS game and suddenly I feel like switching.

I am tempted to go from the Colle to the standard 1d4-c4 Queen's Gambit as white. To make matters worse I have been toying with switching from the Queen's Gambit Declined to the Slav, and the Caro-Kann to the Open.

It is too soon!

Be strong my soul!

Everyone Loses Sometimes

Losing is part of playing chess. Because we are all humans with brains that function like a committee, we all make mistakes. Beyond that, unless we are the strongest in the world, we simply get out played.

A few years ago I came up with a tongue in cheek Chess Dhamma.

1. Chess is suffering.
2. Suffering arises from mistakes.
3. There is a way of liberated non-suffering.
4. Quit Chess.

But I still choose chess. The good games give me encouragement to continue. Life is not about avoiding suffering but about skillfully navigating it.

My daughter has a sign on her apartment wall.

"When life gives you lemons,
wait till life is not looking
and throw them away."

Life Happens

I love chess and enjoy studying and playing it. I like chess people. I particularly like winning and not losing. But there is always so much more going on in my life.

In Jesus' parable of the sower, some people begin and forget. Some people start fast but quit when it gets difficult. Some people just have too many other things on their plate. And only a few stick with it until they succeed.

I think chess is the same. And I am a person with too much on my plate. I have a house, a job, and a family. I also study history, religion, economics, science, and politics.

Life is good. But with a life like mine. I should not expect my chess to be good.

Chess is a little eight by eight board, with clear rules for only six different kinds of pieces in two colors. How hard can that be?

Ha, Ha Ha, Ha Ha Ha, Ha Ha Ha Ha. "Whew!"