this article by Benjamin Franklin today and
was quite impressed. He wrote it in 1779.
Playing
at Chess, is the most
ancient and the most universal game known among men; for its original
is beyond the memory of history, and it has, for numberless ages, been
the amusement of all the civilized nations of Asia, the Persians, the
Indians, and the Chinese. Europe has had it above a thousand years; the
Spaniards have spread it over their part of America, and it begins lately
to make its appearance in these States. It is so interesting in itself,
as not to need the view of gain to induce engaging in it; and thence it
is never played for money. Those, therefore, who have leisure for such
diversions, cannot find one that is more innocent; and the following
piece, written with a view to correct (among a few young friends) some
little improprieties in the practice of it, shows at the same time that it
may, in its effects on the mind, be not merely innocent, but advantageous,
to the vanquished as well as to the victor.
The Game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement. Several very valuable
qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be
acquired or strengthened by it, so as to become habits, ready on all
occasions. For Life is a kind of Chess, in which we have often points
to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with, and in which
there is a vast variety of good and ill events, that are, in some degree,
the effects of prudence or the want of it. By playing at chess, then,
we may learn,
I. Foresight, which looks a little into futurity, and considers the
consequences that may attend an action; for it is continually occurring
to the player, ``If I move this piece, what will be the advantages of my
new situation? What use can my adversary make of it to annoy me? What
other moves can I make to support it, and to defend myself from his
attacks?"
II. Circumspection, which surveys the whole chess-board, or scene of
action, the relations of the several pieces and situations, the dangers
they are respectively exposed to, the several possibilities of their
aiding each other, the probabilities that the adversary may make this or
that move, and attack this or the other piece; and what different means
can be used to avoid his stroke, or turn its consequences against him.
III. Caution, not to make our moves too hastily. This habit is best
acquired by observing strictly the laws of the game, such as, ``If
you touch a piece, you must move it somewhere; if you set it down, you
must let it stand:" and it is therefore best that these rules should
be observed, as the game thereby becomes more the image of human life,
and particularly of war; in which, if you have incautiously put yourself
into a bad and dangerous position, you cannot obtain your enemy's leave
to withdraw your troops, and place them more securely, but you must
abide all the consequences of your rashness.
And, lastly, we learn by chess the habit of not being discouraged
by present bad appearances in the state of our affairs, the habit of
hoping for a favorable change, and that of persevering in the search of
resources. The game is so full of events, there is such a variety of turns
in it, the fortune of it is so subject to sudden vicissitudes, and one so
frequently, after contemplation, discovers the means of extricating one's
self from a supposed insurmountable difficulty, that one is encouraged
to continue the contest to the last, in hopes of victory by our own
skill, or, at least, of giving a stale mate, by the negligence of our
adversary. And whoever considers, what in chess he often sees instances
of, that particular pieces of success are apt to produce presumption,
and its consequent, inattention, by which more is afterwards lost than
was gained by the preceding advantage, while misfortunes produce more
care and attention, by which the loss may be recovered, will learn not
to be too much discouraged by the present success of his adversary, nor
to despair of final good fortune, upon every little check he receives
in the pursuit of it,
That we may, therefore, be induced more frequently to choose this
beneficial amusement, in preference to others which are not attended
with the same advantages, every circumstance which may increase the
pleasures of it should be regarded; and every action or word that is
unfair, disrespectful, or that in any way may give uneasiness, should
be avoided, as contrary to the immediate intention of both the players,
which is, to pass the time agreeably.
Therefore, firstly: If it is agreed to play according to the strict
rules, then those rules are to be exactly observed by both parties; and
should not be insisted on for one side, while deviated from by the other:
for this is not equitable.
Secondly. If it is agreed not to observe the rules exactly, but one
party demands indulgences, he should then be as willing to allow them
to the other.
Thirdly. No false move should ever be made to extricate yourself out
of a difficulty, or to gain an advantage. There can be no pleasure in
playing with a person once detected in such unfair practices.
Fourthly. If your adversary is long in playing, you ought not to hurry
him, or express any uneasiness at his delay. You should not sing, nor
whistle, nor look at your watch, nor take up a book to read, nor make a
tapping with your feet on the floor, or with your fingers on the table,
nor do any thing that may disturb his attention. For all these things
displease; and they do not show your skill in playing, but your craftiness
or rudeness.
Fifthly. You ought not to endeavour to amuse and deceive your adversary,
by pretending to have made bad moves, and saying you have now lost the
game, in order to make him secure and careless, and inattentive to your
schemes; for this is fraud, and deceit, not skill in the game.
Sixthly. You must not, when you have gained a victory, use any triumphing
or insulting expression, nor show too much pleasure; but endeavour to
console your adversary, and make him less dissatisfied with himself
by every kind and civil expression, that may be used with truth,
such as, ``You understand the game better than I, but you are a little
inattentive;" or, ``You had the best of the game, but something happened
to divert your thoughts, and that turned it in my favour."
Seventhly. If you are a spectator while others play, observe the most
perfect silence: For if you give advice, you offend both parties; him,
against whom you give it, because it may cause the loss of his game; him,
in whose favour you give it, because, though it be good, and he follows
it, he loses the pleasure he might have had, if you had permitted him to
think till it occurred to himself. Even after a move or moves, you must
not, by replacing the pieces, show how it might have been played better:
for that displeases, and may occasion disputes or doubts about their
true situation. All talking to the players, lessens or diverts their
attention, and is therefore unpleasing: Nor should you give the least
hint to either party, by any kind of noise or motion. If you do, you are
unworthy to be a spectator. If you have a mind to exercise or show your
judgement, do it in playing your own game when you have an opportunity,
not in criticising, or meddling with, or counselling the play of others.
Lastly. If the game is not to be played rigorously according to the
rules above mentioned, then moderate your desire of victory over your
adversary, and be pleased with one over yourself. Snatch not eagerly
at every advantage offered by his unskillfulness or inattention; but
point out to him kindly, that by such a move he places or leaves a piece
in danger and unsupported; that by another he will put his king in a
dangerous situation, \&c. By this generous civility (so opposite to the
unfairness above forbidden) you may, indeed, happen to lose the game to
your opponent, but you will win what is better, his esteem, his respect,
and his affection; together with the silent approbation and good will
of impartial spectators.
