Life is much like chess..
By Billy H. Balian
A common man's explanation.
I personally enjoy playing the game of chess for many reasons. If you know much about the game, there is one piece whose name is "Pawn". Throughout my playing days (I continue to play I should add), the pawn has served me well. It has served in offensive roles, defensive roles, attack, defend, etc. There are many other pieces on a chess board; a king, a queen, bishops, knights, and my personal favorite; the rook.
All of those pieces however fail in numbers compared to the pawn. Each side in chess has 8 pawns and they are placed before (or in front of) all of the other "important" pieces, or so it would seem.
I am not a complicated man, so when it comes to this analogy, and with the above preface, I'll come to the point of my comparison; Life IS indeed like chess... and if you learn the game (which I suggest that you do) you will find even greater comparisons. See, all this living we do, day-to-day, is filled with aspects we humans believe are, or should be, a priority. A career, a family, good relationships, contributions to those around us, success, money, on and on and I'm sure my list is similar to what you may believe or have been told as you've aged.
However, as complicated as a game of chess can be (we live in a complicated world) and as quickly as life ends (the fastest game ended in three moves - that's fast if you understand the game) and as long as a game of chess can take (20 hours is one record I'm aware of - equally massive again knowing the game), all of this is irrelevant to what is important in the game; the pawn. The individual. The one most like all others on the board. The piece that is duplicated on both sides and quite frankly (and arguably) the most important.
The one most like the others and duplicated. I have drawn the conclusion that it means you and me - an obvious comparison to humans living in the world. We are different in so many ways but, more similar than we may acknowledge. My first comparison of living in the world to chess is: The Pawn is us. We are important people. We are many. We as humans are pawns in a game and the game is life. Different but same (insert Mr. Miyagi voice). Different in relation to the roles we play and to other people in the world, but same as in we are all human, all have emotions, all have struggles, all have triumphs all have to live.
It can be a complex game lasting for hours. Navigating the more important pieces (or roles, titles and priorities we humans take on) around with strategy, skill, trying to find a way to WIN (We do this in life do we not?) or defeat others (those who oppose our way of life or thinking or challenge us negatively as we try to get ahead). I am not 100% certain as to why we do these things. It would be far better to work together with each other. To live and make it through, together, rather than oppose one another and struggle, bicker, and fight for what is truly right or truly wrong. Each of us has a conscience and believe what we think is sometimes right and sometimes wrong. We play on, individually and once in a great while corporately for a common goal. Plus, like some chess games for competition, we are on a timer. The timer is our living clock. Time runs out and someone is declared a winner (or loser) and each of us are trying to win at the game of life. Presto! - the chess comparison.
These are just some comparisons. Again, if you know the game you will find hundreds more, I promise. More on living in this world as it relates to the game of chess. I do enjoy the game albeit extremely difficult, mind-blowing, challenging full of heartbreak and victories and, most importantly, using our time wisely to make quality moves.
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