When Life Becomes A Mess, Play Chess!
By Sumit Paul, New Age
Islam
20 July
2024
Agar Main Ye Samjhoon Ki Ye Jo Mohre Hain
Sirf Lakdi Ke Hain Khilaune
Toh Jeetna Kya Hai, Haarna Kya Hai
Javed Akhtar
(If I think
that all these chess pieces are toys made of wood/ Then, the victory and defeat
will not be so important)
(Explanation:
Victory and defeat are integral to life. Existence doesn't hinge on them. So,
life must not be taken too seriously because it's just a game of chess. If you
lose one game, you might win the next one)
"Chess
is not for timid souls."
Wilhelm Steinitz
1st Chess
World Champion-1886-1894
Representative
Photo
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Jab Bhi Dekhta Hoon Apne Ird-Gird Bewqoofon Ka
Hujoom
Main Aur Ek Baazi Shatranj Ki Khelne Lagta Hoon
Qamar Abbas Peshawari
(Whenever I
see fools everywhere/ I begin to play one more game of chess)...........In
other words, chess helps you retain your sanity and intelligence, esp. when
you're surrounded by an army of fools!!
Originating
in ancient India around the 6th century. chess spread to Persia and
subsequently to the Arab world and Europe during the medieval period. It
evolved over time into its modern form, with standardized rules and strategies.
This game has distinct features of Indian culture and ethos as the 64 squares
on the chessboard are originally related to 64 types of art (Chaunsath Kalaein). Those who play chess
will vouch for the addictive aspect of this great game because once you start
playing chess, you get hooked on it.
When the
great Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to far-flung St. Helena, he asked for a few
books and a chessboard. 'But, who'll you play with?' The considerate British
cavalry officer Edmund Kennedy asked the emperor in French. 'Well, the jailor
or the prison guard should be able to play chess,' replied the great emperor.
The British officer thought for a minute and said, 'I'll see to it that the
jailor must know how to play chess.' Napoleon would religiously play a couple
of games of chess with the jailor before going to bed. The comfort-loving
nabobs of Lucknow, Murshidabad, Bhopal and Hyderabad would immerse themselves
in chess.
Satyajit
Ray's famous movie 'Shatranj Ke Khilari'
(1977) revolves around Nawab of Avadh Wajid Ali Shah and his two chess-obsessed
ministers. They were nuts about chess. So was the Nawab of Bengal
Sirajudaullah, who once asked a Muslim astrologer and mystic Rafeeq Ambohi of
Murshidabad whether Allah allowed people to play chess in heaven or hell!
Flabbergasted, that mystic answered, 'He allows all but except for you.' Why?
The surprised Nawab asked. 'Because you've played chess so much on earth that
you've forgotten to pay attention to all other things. This will be your
punishment by Allah.'
This could
be an apocryphal story but it underlines the fact that the lure of chess is
overwhelming. The army establishments of fifty three countries have made it
compulsory for their army personnel to know how to play chess. Modern Russian
and French armies have made it obligatory for its officers to play chess
regularly to keep the brains active and agile. Senior citizens are also advised
to play chess for the same reason.
Chess was
aptly described by the US Army General, Patton as 'A Non-Violent Battle on
Board'. It sure is. One learns war strategies from playing chess. General Nathu
Singh Rathore of Gumanpura (erstwhile princely state of Dungarpur, Rajasthan)
who scored 935 out of 1000 (still a record) in War Strategy at the Staff
College, ascribed his success to his delirious fondness for the 64 squares.
Field Marshal Montgomery attributed his astute decisions to chess which he
learnt to play from an Indian prince while studying at Eton.
A game of
chess invariably increases one's concentration and enables him/her to focus on
things with much greater intensity. So, when life becomes a mess, play chess!
---
International Chess Day, celebrated on July 20
every year, marks the founding of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on
July 20, 1924, in Paris, France.
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in
comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed
articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including
Persian.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/life-mess-play-chess/d/132749
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