When Life Becomes A Mess, Play Chess!

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 20 July 2024 Agar Main Ye Samjhoon Ki Ye Jo Mohre Hain Sirf Lakdi Ke Hain Khilaune Toh Jeetna Kya Hai, Haarna Kya Hai Javed Akhtar (If I think that all these chess pieces are toys made of wood/ Then, the victory and defeat will not be so important) (Explanation: Victory and defeat are integral to life. Existence doesn't hinge on them. So, life must not be taken too seriously because it's just a game of chess. If you lose one game, you might win the next one) "Chess is not for timid souls." Wilhelm Steinitz 1st Chess World Champion-1886-1894 Representative Photo ------- Jab Bhi Dekhta Hoon Apne Ird-Gird Bewqoofon Ka Hujoom Main Aur Ek Baazi Shatranj Ki Khelne Lagta Hoon Qamar Abbas Peshawari (Whenever I see fools everywhere/ I begin to play one more game of chess)...........In other words, chess helps you retain your sanity and intelligence, esp. when you're surrounded by an army of fools!! Originating in ancient India around the 6th century. chess spread to Persia and subsequently to the Arab world and Europe during the medieval period. It evolved over time into its modern form, with standardized rules and strategies. This game has distinct features of Indian culture and ethos as the 64 squares on the chessboard are originally related to 64 types of art (Chaunsath Kalaein). Those who play chess will vouch for the addictive aspect of this great game because once you start playing chess, you get hooked on it. When the great Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to far-flung St. Helena, he asked for a few books and a chessboard. 'But, who'll you play with?' The considerate British cavalry officer Edmund Kennedy asked the emperor in French. 'Well, the jailor or the prison guard should be able to play chess,' replied the great emperor. The British officer thought for a minute and said, 'I'll see to it that the jailor must know how to play chess.' Napoleon would religiously play a couple of games of chess with the jailor before going to bed. The comfort-loving nabobs of Lucknow, Murshidabad, Bhopal and Hyderabad would immerse themselves in chess. Satyajit Ray's famous movie 'Shatranj Ke Khilari' (1977) revolves around Nawab of Avadh Wajid Ali Shah and his two chess-obsessed ministers. They were nuts about chess. So was the Nawab of Bengal Sirajudaullah, who once asked a Muslim astrologer and mystic Rafeeq Ambohi of Murshidabad whether Allah allowed people to play chess in heaven or hell! Flabbergasted, that mystic answered, 'He allows all but except for you.' Why? The surprised Nawab asked. 'Because you've played chess so much on earth that you've forgotten to pay attention to all other things. This will be your punishment by Allah.' This could be an apocryphal story but it underlines the fact that the lure of chess is overwhelming. The army establishments of fifty three countries have made it compulsory for their army personnel to know how to play chess. Modern Russian and French armies have made it obligatory for its officers to play chess regularly to keep the brains active and agile. Senior citizens are also advised to play chess for the same reason. Chess was aptly described by the US Army General, Patton as 'A Non-Violent Battle on Board'. It sure is. One learns war strategies from playing chess. General Nathu Singh Rathore of Gumanpura (erstwhile princely state of Dungarpur, Rajasthan) who scored 935 out of 1000 (still a record) in War Strategy at the Staff College, ascribed his success to his delirious fondness for the 64 squares. Field Marshal Montgomery attributed his astute decisions to chess which he learnt to play from an Indian prince while studying at Eton. A game of chess invariably increases one's concentration and enables him/her to focus on things with much greater intensity. So, when life becomes a mess, play chess! --- International Chess Day, celebrated on July 20 every year, marks the founding of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on July 20, 1924, in Paris, France. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/life-mess-play-chess/d/132749 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism