My Newest Hobby..
Chess Mania
Man, ever since I was a kid chess has been such a scary thing. It was mysterious, intimidating, and sure a little nerdy too. One of my mom’s boyfriends taught me how to play when I was very young and I didn’t touch it again until around 8th grade when I joined chess club. I really only used that time to catch up on homework with my friend after school so that I didn’t have to do it at home (stubborn). I made an account on Chess.com years later and dropped it just as quickly. Everyone that I knew growing up had a chess board at their family’s house and everyone knew the basics of how to play. It seemed like a hidden flex that proved your smarts against others.
Why Chess?
So why am I playing it again after all of these years? Here’s a few simple reasons.
The Allure - Yes, chess has an allure. It was always in a unique space for me. It wasn’t popular, yet it was always viewed in history as being highly respected. Leaders would use chess to practice battle strategy. Some believe that it demonstrated your IQ. Others simply like the game itself. It’s now an official sport and is played by around 600 million people worldwide. Of course I am going to be curious as to why a simple, and ancient, board game has only gotten more and more popular over the years. Streamers play it, celebrities play it, politicians, business men/women, athletes, you name it. Old and young can play together and be evenly matched. Some of the best players in the world right now are not even able to legally drive because they are so young.
The Benefits - Just like Sudoku and other puzzles, chess is good for your brain. It gives you a stronger focus, practices risk assessment, quick planning, and reduces the risk of memory loss as you age. As I get older I not only prioritize physical health, but mental as well. Brains age just like every other part of our body and will eventually get weaker. I want to do everything I can to fight against that as well as fight against the enemies of mental health such as social media and dopamine-spiking content. Chess has been a great tool for that.
It’s Fun - chess has infinite possibilities. I’m not going to bore you with the math and science behind this game, but just know that no two games of chess are quite alike. One board game, one set of rules, the same starting position, but many many different experiences to be had. It is also addicting to try and beat your opponent, to outsmart them and to think further ahead. Chess.com has made the game extremely accessible and it is easy to get quick games in while I’m walking on the treadmill at the gym or waiting for my wife to get ready. It’s just a good way to relax and get your mind off of things.
Why Now?
I think that I’m at a time in my life where I want simplicity. I am already busy with many different tasks and interests each day, so I need a casual hobby that I can do anytime, anywhere. Something that I can also get better at and maybe compete in someday. There are many local tournaments for chess across the world. I think that it is a good balance to my also new hobby of bodybuilding (next week’s blog post!). I even thought about a tournament called Brains and Brawn where you are judged on bodybuilding and chess at the same time. Kind of like chess boxing, but with bodybuilding. I’m not sure about how the details of that look quite yet but it’s just an idea. It would be a way to celebrate the well-roundedness of someone.
Anyway, not to get off topic with my imaginary organizations. Chess is fun and you should give it a try!
