Promised Land Homestead

Playing Chess

When we were first married, the wife and I used to play chess a lot.  I had a very nice marble chess board I bought in Mexico and I wanted to learn how to play.  At first I used to whoop her at the game, but right around the time our first son was born, she started getting good and actually winning games.  That's when we had to put the chess board away.  Not because she was getting good, but because our son started standing up and knocking chess pieces off the board.

So there it sat under some cabinet in a box for the next 5 years.  The other day I came home and it was set up on the kitchen counter.  DW had been doing some cleaning and organizing and had found it.  Now we have a nice big kitchen counter to play on that the littles can't reach.  I was officially challenged, and the games began.  For the last two weeks we've been playing constantly.  As soon as one game is finished, we start another.  It can take a while to finish a game.  We make moves here and there as we're making our way through the kitchen.  DW has to remind me constantly (much to her annoyance) that it is my turn.  She said I should just assume anytime I walk into the kitchen that it's my turn to move.  It gets her frustrated that I'm at work all day, unable to move so she can continue the game.  She's contemplated taking a picture of the board and making me e-mail her back my move, but she has yet to do it.

I have to admit that the girl is quite good.  I've only won 1 of 4 games.  I've come to realize that she is much better at developing strategies and tactics.  She is able to slow herself down and really think through her moves.  I tend to get impatient and move too quickly without thinking it through all the way.  It's not easy for me to slow my brain down and plan a strategy, so this is good for me.

The only reason I beat her the last time is because she got a little cocky and tried a more aggressive and quick strategy.  Chess really is a slow, thinking game.  If you try to rush it you'll make mistakes that can cost you the game. 

We have a running score sheet tallying how many games each of us has won, and we plan on always having a game going.  It's just another fun thing to do as husband and wife, and although I'm losing quite a bit to her, I enjoy it.

Chess

7:25 PM, Tuesday, August 12, 2008 .. Posted by Ruth

that is so sweet...you guys play chess with each other like that... cherish it!