Chess: Is It Just a Game?
When I was around ten years old, my dad introduced me to a game played on a small board with two sets of pieces—one black, one white. These pieces formed two opposing armies, standing face-to-face on a checkered board of alternating colors. He explained the rules: each piece had its own unique way of moving, and the goal was to corner the opponent’s king, leaving it with no escape. It sounded simple enough, but I was completely puzzled. What was I supposed to do? My dad started playing anyway. We took turns moving our pieces, but I kept losing. I had no clue what I was doing or how to approach the game. Then, he promised me a reward—a decent amount of money if I managed to beat him. Suddenly, I had all the motivation I needed. So, I kept trying. I lost again and again, but with every loss, I learned something new. Soon, I was the one asking to play another round. I had to win. Over time, I started to enjoy the game, not just for the challenge, but for the process. I began to understand...