I’ve been known to play the occasional game of chess, especially the fast variety, e.g., bullet and blitz on Chess.com. It’s exciting and it’s (duh!) quick. Your fate and your opponent’s can be decided within seconds if one of you makes the wrong move. It’s more about reaction time and anticipation than it is about strategy. (The longer games are qualitatively different in that they tend to be more meaningful and rewarding.)

Yes, there’s psychology involved and risk-taking. It’s one player trying to outguess and outmaneuver the other. Usually, either you or s/he gains the upper hand in the first 20 seconds and it’s clear who will be the victor. Think of it as a form of virtual hand-to-hand combat. Aside from bruised egos, no one sheds any blood. Life goes on as before.

I wish that those who engage conflict for whatever reason, be it religious, political, or personal, would play chess with their opponent(s) instead of hitting, stabbing, shooting, or bombing them. Chess as an ersatz means of trying to get even, settling a score, or wreaking revenge. Like life, this game – philosophical life lesson? – has its ups and downs. No one wins or loses all of the time. There’s always someone better or worse on any given day, and my good day might be your bad day. Accept either outcome with grace. (If not, the admin might send you a warning or mute your account!)

Postscript: My nom de guerre name is Free Palestine, which I’m sure “inspires” some to defeat me. If you play me, don’t hold back! Give it your best shot in this peaceful form of warfare. We’ll both live to see another day. 😀

Peace, MAA