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I am 42 years old, when I was a young teen I loved to play chess (and I still do online).
I have played in many tournaments. My first one was an unrated one. I didn't lose any games, but I drew against a school teacher named Brock. Years later I met a woman (my X wife whom has since died) and I went to her church and he was a deacon there.
The kid who won the whole tournament was from Granville, Ohio. A young Oriental boy with a future in the game. I never got to play him that weekend because of that draw.
About 6 months later his school played mine. I was second board (we had 5 boards). My best friend was board #1 (he was better at strategy and I was better at tactical chess) and I finally got to play this chess whiz from Granville (he was 2nd board as well).
I beat him so bad I felt sorry for him. At the end of the game we shook hands and I asked him "Weren't you the kid who won the Granville unrated tournament?" and he said Yes.
About 4 months after that I was in the Cardinal Open in Columbus, Ohio. I was in round 3 and was matched up against my best friend James. We had never played for top board, I knew he was better and wanted him to be top board so the team could keep winning (our football team sucked at the time, all the school had was us, and yes - I lettered in chess).
I spent about 10 minutes thinking about one move, then simply moved my pawn to King Rook 3. We drew the game. As was our custom we went over our games together - and he then asked me about why I spent so much time thinking over my move.
I had seen a beautiful tactical move that could win me the game - if he made the wrong move. But I did not want to take the chance so I played it safe.
And, as I mentioned, we ended the game in a draw.
Through the years I have played many fine people. One who wore a train hat and was a favorite at tournaments (he was a ref and a player). When he died we had a memorial tournament in his honor, and I could not help feeling bad that the last time I played him I beat him.
At his memorial tournament I played a lady that was ranked higher than me, she too was a school teacher. And I beat her.
I shook her hand and said "I have a lot of respect for you" and left the board feeling bad.
I had won, as I had many times before, but this time (like the time I beat the guy we were having the tournament for) I felt bad about me.
Why? Because it was not about ME - it was about the game. And I see it here on DU as being about the same thing.
I don't care if Hillary or Obama wins, I care about US winning.
The little people, the ones without insurance, the ones who are homeless, the ones that need jobs.
You can win a game here and there (and I have beaten a master and drew with a grandmaster before) - but if you let the game of politics come before the rest of game - well, you will lose in the long term.
I have a lot of respect for the people I have played. Some I have beaten, some I have not. But at the end of the day we all embraced for the love of the game.
You and I are on the same team. Obama. Hillary. It does not matter - they are both way better than the hell we have now.
The game isn't over until we resign - and I say, we still have a chance to win.
You in, or are you ready to turn over the king and give the game to someone else?
Me? I know we may not have the best position and best people - but we have a chance to get closer to a win - and I am willing to go with that.
I respect you and whom you choose. Tell me again why we are fighting against each other?
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