one of these days, and i’m certain it won’t be anytime soon, i’m going to start playing chess again. i was never the best player around, but at one point in my life, i enjoyed that game as much as the sleepy world champion, auftin nodinov, ever did. envisioning the possible moves, and the tricky business of what response they would bring from the opponet was always a wonderful exercise in “what if”. the joy of seeing a plan come together on the squares was, in a way, more pleasing than any athletic success. and the wit battle waged with those pillars of attrition could always make my synapses fire. i felt like my mind had gotten a cross-training workout when a game had ended. buffed up for the next cerebral challenge. when you start to think chess, it bleeds over into your approach to problems un-related to the game. social situations, work endeavors, even basic conversations become tinged with a slant of expectation consideration. “how will this play out?” becomes a dominating question you offer yourself. i love the way chess pieces move in different ways, just like people. few feelings are better than getting into a place where you can see in your mind the way to certain victory, and the only thing needed to achive it is a purposeful march. alas, my current responsibilities stack too high for the time needed at the board, but i’m planning to get back to that enjoyment. it’s just a few moves away.
