I'm learning to play chess...and am finding similarities to knitting.

Posted by Renee Blixt Jan 7, 2009

I'm learning to play chess. It's no secret that I'm 40 years old, but I'm going to stay convinced that that is NOT old. Or at least it's not too old to learn to play chess. (I didn't say play chess well.)

Anyway, I've noticed that learning to play chess is not all that different from learning to knit.

• There are two sides to a knitted garment, and there are two sides in chess.
• Knitting is pretty, and chess sets can be pretty. (They can in fact be absolutely beautiful!)
• Both take patience--in fact, much more than I thought.
• There are chess problems that are similar to knit swatches.
• The student of each will get frustrated.
• And mad.
• And, it seems, extremely angry at times.
• The student will cry.
• And throw the needles / chess pieces.
• The student's family will worry about her.
• The student will say / scream that she will never get it right.
• The student will nevertheless become obsessed and try it again.
• Many books will be purchased by said student on the subject(s). Usually, too many books to be read in an entire lifetime will come home in just a few trips to the store.
• Both have stashes. (yarn / chess sets)
• In chess and knitting, you watch the clock go by far too quickly. Panic and loss of sleep may ensue.
• The student will loop back to #5 in this list often.
• Finally, it will start to come together.
• There will be much rejoicing.
• Another devotee is born.

Note: Devotees are, most of the time, for life. Once the rejoicing part has been experienced, don't expect to get the devotee off track.

End row / End game.

:o)