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Chess, Anyone?

© Kim Martin

The Perfect Cure

It was Saturday and raining when Wyatt started with his "I'm bored" routine:

"My video games are boring because I beat them all. There's nothing on TV, and we can't ride bikes because it's raining."

He plopped himself down on the couch, leaned over the arm rest and stared at the chess board that sat on the coffee table next to him. Trance-like, he started moving the pieces--a pawn from the side nearest him, another pawn from the opposing side. He continued this game against himself, concentrating on his every move, as I watched, amazed.

The Game of Kings

The history of the game has been debated for centuries, however, most historians believe the game orignated in ancient India around 500 C.E. According to an article by Colleen Schafroth in the September 2002 issue of MUSE magazine, it is told the game traveled to Persia where the Arabs started playing and shared the game with India and Spain.
The author also recounts the story of a Persian poet named Firdawsi:

According to Firdawsi, the rajah (king) of India sent the game of chess--without any explanation of the rules--as a riddle to the king of Persia. With the help of his minister, the king solved the riddle, thus avoiding payment of tribute, and returned the answer to the rajah along with his own riddle in the form of the game backgammon.

Boredom is Banished!

Wyatt played for about fifteen minutes then called for me to come and play. We decided to start over since I was just remembering how to play again. It's funny, playing chess is just like riding a bike. Once you learn, you never forget; however, if you don't practice the skill for some time, your next attempt might be shaky and unsteady. I hadn't played chess in a very long time so I asked Wyatt to go easy on me! He was a very unforgiving but helpful rival. When I was stumped, he offered his assistance.
As we played, we talked about the game, school, friends, and how we wanted the rain to go away. I found it a delightful way to bond with him. There was no pressure or lectures, just good, clean fun in a relaxed setting.
He concentrated and made some really good moves that forced me to surrender early on in the first game. I was astounded at his decision-making skills. As he set up the board for our next game, I went to the kitchen and made snacks for us. When I returned, I asked him about his strategy,

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