LIFE LESSONS IN CHESS

There is something special about chess game, to some people it's just a board game, to some it's a game of critical thinking and moves that either gives you edge over your opponent or open up your king for a checkmate but to me its a game that comes with lot of life lessons. Every piece has a purpose, and every decision can change the outcome of the game.

I wasn't actually looking for a photo to snap, just a boring afternoon indoors with my friends when I noticed the chess board, captivating me, I took my friend's Samsung S10 to take that shot, the sunlight pointing in through the window wasn't that bright but it created a perfect image, after a few shot , I switched it to black and white and the magic was there. The photos felt calmer, more expressive , without the colors it's captivates me more, the king , the surrounding pieces, the shadows all made me to stop and think.

To be honest I never consider myself a professional or even an amateur chess player. I only know the basics and I have played a few times with friends. At that moment it wasn't the game that attracted but the way it mirrors life. Every piece has its own role, some seem small and unimportant at the moment, some seem so powerful but in all every single one creates a difference depending on how it is used. In life some people seem so unimportant but the reality is that we have different path, different abilities thus comparing ourselves with others doesn't help us because we all have a part to play in life.

Almost immediately, this photo became my favorite. Here the king stands alone with every other things fading into background. Looking at it reminded me of those moments where we are alone and the decisions we make depends on us. This moments feels uncomfortable as we have to make decisions with nobody telling us what to do.

This second photo tells a different story entirely, here the board is filled with different pieces, some are close , some are further away and every moves matter. It reflects life's complexity, because everyday we meet new people, face new and unexpected challenges and sometimes changes direction. It shows how we are surrounded by different situations everyday just like the king is surrounded. Some moments brings opportunities while others bring pressure just as it happens in the game of Chess.

I so much admire the game of Chess, especially as it shows us how much we need patience. Great players don't rush , they study the board, the movement of the pieces, think ahead and wait for the perfect moment to strike . I think this is the lesson most of us need, I know everyone wants to see the results real quick but life is more to that than quick results because actual progress comes from planning carefully, taking a step at a time while also thinking outside the box , thinking about the consequences of our actions and making wise decisions.

In life rushing doesn't get you anywhere instead it makes you regret not taking time to sit back , re think , strategize and make the move one at a time. Just as a random moving player doesn't win in the game of Chess so is life but the beautiful thing is that one mistake, one rush, one error shouldn't make you think it's all over, as far as you're still on the board , one purposeful and better move can swallow up a massive mistake. Thank you for taking your time to read my blog.