Chess and Mental Health

“Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make men happy.”
— Siegbert Tarrasch

Chess, for me, is a metaphor for life.

The chess board provides a distinct, structured framework. As in life, to win, you think and work to coordinate your pieces. You develop a pattern to your moves. And you view possibilities through which you can shape your world.

One time, I was speaking to a 31-year-old man who’s about to give up on life. Abandoned by his father since birth and raised in poverty, he rose from the ashes and became a self-made millionaire at a young age.

Then, for some unexplainable reason, he was having suicidal thoughts. Somehow he slipped from his usual determined self that produced a magical dance in his life. He was good in rising up. Yet he experienced almost losing his grip.

In chess, it’s essential to keep one’s motivation alive. And when darkness shadows the board, to recall one’s purpose. And when one gets lost or confused looking at those dead pieces of wood, to stay in touch with one’s original inspiration to play.

In life, an absolutely most important thing is affirming your higher Self and knowing your true purpose. Even when you experience hurts, failures, or traumas, you have to stay in touch with that very core of your being.

Turning Point

In chess, there is often a turning point. Maybe a player has made a bold, aggressive move. Maybe he has made a blunder and given away a piece cheaply. Or, he lost initiative, a precious tempo of the game.

Spiritually and mentally, to turn towards God and turn away from sin in our lives is an essential turning point. It's the beginning of the renewing of our mind that leads to eternal life. We realize our need for God and respond to His great love.

With this turning point, we're then able to live our lives with purpose. Every move we make, every plan we undertake, has clear meaning and direction. No more shame. No more tears or pain unprocessed. No more grief un-comforted. No more fear of death. It's an everlasting checkmate!

Indeed, you can play countless games of chess in your earthly life. But you live only one life. Make sure you make the right move ... the right turning point.

Life Is A Kind Of Chess

If you've read my previous posts, you'll observe that I tend to compare life to a game of chess. In chess, it's important to understand that it is you who control the pieces - how they move or what happens to them.

Rather than blaming your opponent or thinking of genes, noise, or other distractions, you're the one called to be in control and responsible for your moves to reach your goals.

This is so in real life. Our psychological and emotional well being depends on how much we understand that we're the ones responsible to control our own feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.

"Nonresponsibility" by blaming or passing on to others the moves we need to make is a favorite pastime! I believe, if one who is in therapy or great distress can establish the thinking that he's responsible for anything that happens or does not happen in his life, then he begins to go far on his journey.

Study how you move, how you feel and think, and what you do. See every defeat as an opportunity for growth. Focus on things that will help you win and reach your goals for balance and well being.