Commentary by Chess Teacher William Stewart
An anonymous 17th-century monk denounced the demonic appeal of chess for the following 6 reasons. Sometimes I really understand where he was coming from. My comments are in italics (Will Stewart).
The 6 Evils of Chess
1) It is a great time-waster. How many precious hours (which can never be recalled) have I profusely spent in this game!
WS: After tying for 1st in the Under 2200 section of the 2009 World Open and winning a large prize, my grandmother told me that it probably equaled out to less than minimum wage for the thousands of hours I had committed to studying.
2) It hath had with me a fascinating property; I have been bewitched by it: when I have begun, I have not had the power to give over.
WS: Big day tomorrow. I’m just going to play one more blitz game and go to sleep. 3 hours later it’s 4 am and I have an early meeting in the morning. I’m sure my boss will understand.
3) It hath not done with me, when I have done with it. It hath followed me into my study, into my pulpit; when I have been praying or preaching, I have (in my thoughts) been playing at chess; than I have had, as it were, a chess-board before my eyes. . . .
WS: I know my girlfriend is talking about something really important, but I’ve got to figure out an easier way to equalize as black in the Najdorf against the 6. Bg5 variation. She probably won’t notice if I maintain eye contact.
4) It hath caused me to break many solemn resolutions; nay, vows and promises. Sometimes I have obliged myself, in the most solemn manner, to play but so many mates at a time, or with any one person, and anon I have broken these obligations and promises. . .
WS: I’m going to stop playing online blitz and start really focusing on preparing to get some IM norms... right after I win these 5 bullet games in a row.
5) It hath wounded my conscience and broken my peace. I have had sad reflections upon it, when I have been most serious. I find, if I were now to die, the remembrance of this game would greatly trouble me and stare me in the face. I have read in the life of the famous John Huss, how he was greatly troubled, for his using of this game, a little before his death.
WS: Thousands of dollars on the line and I drop a piece. I can’t believe it.
I have disgraced my family’s honor with a series of inaccuracies. Why am I still playing this stupid game? And why am I still so bad at it?
6) My using of it hath occasioned much sin, as passion, strife, idle (if not lying) words, in myself and my antagonist, or both. It hath caused the neglect of many duties both to God and men...
WS: I thoroughly enjoy gambling on chess. In June of 2011 I played a few 5 minute games with a Russian hustler in Harvard Square in Boston for $2 per game. He won the first game, I came back and won the second two. The man then refused to pay me the $2 and we nearly came to fisticuffs. I kicked him off his table, and a few minutes later he came back, apologized, and gave me the 2 dollars. My aunt and uncle witnessed the entire ordeal with extreme confusion. This would have never happened if I wasn’t gambling on blitz chess.
