Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Chess matters: Stalemate!

I played Joe again yesterday. He won the first game. And in the second game, I had him from the get-go. But through the meanderings of our pieces, there came a point where we were pretty even. Then, I pulled out a great tactic and forked his rook and king with my bishop. It was "in the bag" from there on... almost.

The rest of the game was "routine." There was NO way he could win. With each move, he jokingly said, "I'll accept a draw." And I'd arrogantly say, "No way, I'm going to beat you." Then, in the blinding clouds of my exaltation, it happened...

Stalemate!

My glory was lost. The agony. We were both laughing, but his laugh was more authentic.

Alas, my pride blinded me and I'd become careless. And I re-learned (but will surely forget again) that humility is the only preventative for such an inglorious fall. Chess again demonstrates what is true of all of life - character matters.

(Re-match, tonight, 6p)
Posted by at 11:48 AM
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3 comments:

  1. Fr. Philip RogersAug 21, 2008 08:22 AM
    Humility is the most important character with chess and with life in general. Here is a tid bit from the blog of Fr. Stephen Freeman who happened to blog about humility today as well:

    Humility alone knows no fear and never runs away. It does not fear the battle for in the humility of Christ the battle is already won, the victory complete. Humility does not run away but embraces the Cross with joy, for it knows that humility is indeed the very similitude of God. If we run away or fight the battle on the brave terms of man, we lose, for we do not fight in the humility of Christ. Christ alone is victorious and humility alone can save us in the manner of God’s gracious salvation.

    I hope you were more humble in your rematch and perhaps even won, though another loss might help that humility, ha.
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  2. Good stuff. Thanks for that. I think that Fr. Freeman's connection between humility and courage is an interesting one. Can't say that I've thought about it before, but it certainly makes sense. As C.S.Lewis says, the humble man doesn't think little of himself, rather, he doesn't think of himself at all, but is other-focused. It follows that an exclusive Christ-focus is humble. Such a focus is really a placement of value - you value Christ's life over your own. Such valuing manifests Christ's character within you (e.g., courage). But more, it empowers you to do your duty despite the risk of personal loss or pain. A man can't meet the battle unreservedly unless he values something other more than his own life. Perhaps conceit or the thought of personal glory can supply this, but such is meaningless at its root because it has no longevity. So, I agree - only the man who embraces the cross and is, therein, given up to the permanent life of Christ can abandon himself to the battle.
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  3. P.S. I won four and had one stalemate!
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