Playing at Chess, is the most ancient and the most universal
game known among men; for its original is beyond the memory
of history, and it has, for numberless ages, been the
amusement of all the civilized nations of Asia, the Persians,
the Indians, and the Chinese. Europe has had it above 1000
years; the Spaniards have spread it over their part of America,
and it begins lately to make its appearance in these northern
states. It is so interesting in itself, as not to need the view of
gain to induce engaging in it; and thence it is never played for
money. Those, therefore, who have leisure for such diversions,
cannot find one that is more innocent; and the following
piece, written with a view to correct (among a few young
friends) some little improprieties in the practice of it, shows at
the same time, that it may, in its effects on the mind, be not
merely innocent, but advantageous, to the vanquished as well as
to the victor.
The game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement. Several
very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course
of human life, are to be acquired or strengthened by it, so as
to become habits, ready on all occasions. For life is a kind of
chess, in which we have often points to gain, and competitors
or adversaries to contend with, and in which there is a vast
variety of good and ill events, that are, in some degree, the
effects of prudence or the want of it. By playing at chess, then,
we may learn:
1. Foresight, which looks a little into futurity, and considers
the consequences that may attend an action: for it is continually
occurring to the player, “If I move this piece, what will
be the advantages of my new situation? What use can my
adversary make of it to annoy me? What other moves can I
make to support it, and to defend myself from his attacks?
2. Circumspection, which surveys the whole chess-board, or
scene of action, the relations of the several pieces and situations,
the dangers they are respectively exposed to, the several
possibilities of their aiding each other; the probabilities that
the adversary may make this or that move, and attack this or
the other piece; and what different means can be used to avoid
his stroke, or turn its consequences against him.
3. Caution, not to make our moves too hastily. This habit is
best acquired by observing strictly the laws of the game, such
as, if you touch a piece, you must move it somewhere; if you set it
down, you must let it stand. And it is therefore best that these
rules should be observed, as the game thereby becomes more
the image of human life, and particularly of war; in which, if
you have incautiously put yourself into a bad and dangerous
position, you cannot obtain your enemy’s leave to withdraw
your troops, and place them more securely; but you must
abide all the consequences of your rashness.
And, lastly, we learn by chess the habit of not being
discouraged by present bad appearences in the state of our affairs,
the habit of hoping for a favourable change, and that of
persevering in the search of resources. The game is so full of events,
there is such a variety of turns in it, the fortune of it is so
subject to sudden vicissitudes, and one so frequently, after
long contemplation, discovers the means of extricating one’s
self from a supposed insurmountable difficulty, that one is encouraged
to continue the contest to the last, in hopes of victory
by our own skill, or, at least, of giving a stale mate, by the
negligence of our adversary. And whoever considers, what in
chess he often sees instances of, that particular pieces of success
are apt to produce presumption, and its consequent, inattention,
by which more is afterwards lost than was gained by
the preceding advantage; while misfortunes produce more
care and attention, by which the loss may be recovered, will
learn not to be too much discouraged by the present success
of his adversary, nor to despair of final good fortune, upon
every little check he receives in the pursuit of it.
That we may, therefore, be induced more frequently to
chuse this beneficial amusement, in preference to others which
are not attended with the same advantages, every circumstance,
that may increase the pleasure of it, should be regarded;
and every action or word that is unfair, disrespectful,
or that in any way may give uneasiness, should be avoided, as
contrary to the immediate intention of both the players,
which is to pass the time agreeably.
Therefore, 1st. If it is agreed to play according to the strict
rules, then those rules are to be exactly observed by both parties;
and should not be insisted on for one side, while deviated
from by the other: for this is not equitable.
2. If it is agreed not to observe the rules exactly, but one
party demands indulgencies, he should then be as willing to
allow them to the other.
3. No false move should ever be made to extricate yourself
out of a difficulty, or to gain an advantage. There can be no
pleasure in playing with a person once detected in such unfair
practice.
4. If your adversary is long in playing, you ought not to
hurry him, or express any uneasiness at his delay. You should
not sing, nor whistle, nor look at your watch, nor take up a
book to read, nor make a tapping with your feet on the floor,
or with your fingers on the table, nor do anything that may
disturb his attention. For all these things displease. And they
do not show your skill in playing, but your craftiness or your
rudeness.
5. You ought not to endeavour to amuse and deceive your
adversary, by pretending to have made bad moves, and saying
you have now lost the game, in order to make him secure and
careless, and inattentive to your schemes; for this is fraud, and
deceit, not skill in the game.
6. You must not, when you have gained a victory, use any
triumphing or insulting expression, nor show too much pleasure;
but endeavour to console your adversary, and make him
less dissatisfied with himself by every kind and civil expression,
that may be used with truth, such as, You understand the
game better than I, but you are a little inattentive; or, You play
too fast; or, You had the best of the game but something happened
to divert your thoughts, and that turned it in my favour.
7. If you are a spectator, while others play, observe the most
perfect silence. For if you give advice, you offend both parties;
him, against whom you give it, because it may cause the loss
of his game; him, in whose favour you give it, because, though
it be good, and he follows it, he loses the pleasure he might
have had, if you had permitted him to think till it occurred to
himself. Even after a move or moves, you must not, by replacing
the pieces, shew how it might have been played better: for
that displeases, and may occasion disputes or doubts about
their true situation. All talking to the players, lessens or diverts
their attention, and is therefore unpleasing; nor should
you give the least hint to either party, by any kind of noise or
motion.— If you do, you are unworthy to be a spectator.— If
you have a mind to exercise or show your judgments, do it in
playing your own game when you have an opportunity, not in
criticising or meddling with, or counselling, the play of others.
Lastly. If the game is not to be played rigorously, according
to the rules above mentioned, then moderate your desire of
victory over your adversary, and be pleased with one over
yourself. Snatch not eagerly at every advantage offered by his
unskilfulness or inattention; but point out to him kindly that
by such a move he places or leaves a piece in danger and
unsupported; that by another he will put his king in a dangerous
situation, &c. By this generous civility (so opposite to the
unfairness above forbidden) you may indeed happen to lose
the game to your opponent, but you will win what is better,
his esteem, his respect, and his affection; together with the
silent approbation and good will of impartial spectators.