What we generally like to do is systemise everything in our life. Categorize, classify and sort everything around us and make life easy. But, not everything must be classified or can be sorted. Some are unique in their own way. Just like chess. Is it a game, a sport, an art or science? We don’t know, but we know it’s popular and educational. It is played across borders, irrespective of age, gender or community. It is an activity that unities people.
The former grandmaster Anatoly Yevgenyevich Karpov, said this statement after retiring from a glorious career. He was a player who would not take bold risks to outsmart his opponent but be steady and celebrate each small move that pushes the opponent to face his defeat. Upon asking about his style of playing, he commented “Let us say the game may be continued in two ways: one of them is a beautiful tactical blow that gives rise to variations that don't yield to precise calculations; the other is clear positional pressure that leads to an endgame with microscopic chances of victory.... I would choose [the latter] without thinking twice. If the opponent offers keen play I don't object; but in such cases I get less satisfaction, even if I win, than from a game conducted according to all the rules of strategy with its ruthless logic.”
Let us figure about the three driving forces that make chess beautiful according to Anatoly.
The Art that makes Chess
When we envisage art, we think about painting, music and literature. True to every sense, what is extracted from it is what makes art sublime. Art is anything that is creative, ingenious and innovative. Now can you relate it to chess? Be creative with your tactics and strategies. You can go on reading books, but every artist (here a player) has a signature style. Using their creative mind to mould any game in favour of theirs. Consider a game of chess as a painter, painting. Here the player is just like the painter, he/she is skilful and dedicated. Every time the painter paints a picture, he/she uses a variety of colours and the end result is always uncertain. Similarly, the chess player calculates his/her moves to win over the opponent.
The quantitative measure of science
Science is all about facts and figures. It is about techniques that could solve problems and lead you to solutions. What is the objective of a player in chess? It’s certainly to dethrone his opponent. But this is not easy, the player needs to calculate the risk and then carry forward with his plan with proper strategic data. This is the science that is needed to play a game of chess. The skill is acquired by experimentation or trial and error. Just like any domain of science, mathematics or psychology you need to study the subject to know more about it or practise it. You need to know the basics to be a master in chess. The absolute measurements, such as what move would fetch you what.
The emotions of a sport
A sport can combine to have a lot of emotions. It is about enthusiasm, spirit, happiness, passion and also a potential to embrace failure. You can call chess a game or a sport, but both bring all those emotions. The battle of the throne can be termed as a mind game but it takes immense effort, both mental and physical, to take a grasp of the game. Chess is an emotion for many, who adore it like any other sport. What made it popular is its the same immaculate level of practise that makes a cricketer, a soccer player or a badminton player reach a certain height to be recognised among the crowd of thousands.
Conclusion
The eternal love of chess is what makes players rise and fall, just like Anatoly Karpov. He was a world champion who had to give away his throne to his opponent Garry Kasparov, but he fought back to regain his title as World Champion again in 1993. Mind Mentorz help you gain the strength to fight back again. It inspires a child to know the Art, Science and Sport that relates chess. We are not just a chess institution, we believe in enhancing the abilities of your kids on a scholastic and co-scholastic level.