A Holiday Favorite: Teaching a Young Family Member or Friend to Play Chess

[CorpGovActivist]

When I was 8, one of my uncles taught me how to play chess. The board - of Chinese jade and intricately carved wood - is still clear in my mind's eye.

Patiently, he taught me the moves. Patiently, he taught me how to look ahead more than a single step. Patiently, he taught me how to see multiple permutations of possible outcomes. Patiently, he taught me the etiquette (e.g., finger on/off piece mattered less in early games than learning lessons about the outcomes; but finger/on off piece began to matter more as I got the hang of it).

Over that chessboard, he imparted values that had nothing to do with chess, and took my views seriously.

It has become a holiday favorite for me; I enjoy introducing a new youngster to the game, and playing on whichever of my chess sets they like best.

Campaign strategists should be able to gauge prospective outcomes of their moves - and standstills. If they cannot see the chessboard accurately, or if their strategy has become untenable, I know a good many youngsters who know the gracious move: tip the king, congratulate your opponent, and set the pieces up for another game.

If Mark Penn doesn't own a chess set, I wouldn't be surprised.

- Dave

[opihimoimoi]

1. LOL, ya know damn well the Bush fella don know crap bout the game

Holiday cheers.... :toast:

[CorpGovActivist]

2. But I Bet Mark Penn Owns a Gen-YOO-Wine Divining Rod...

... that can parse polls and find water.

- Dave

[Uncle Joe]

4. I believe Bush is a Checkers man and

he cheats at that.

[CorpGovActivist]

7. You Could Play a Drinking Game ...

... based on how many times he hurls the checkerboard in a tantrum.

Tanked in no time, I bet!

:rofl:

- Dave

[Uncle Joe]

8. I believe one could die of alcohol poisoning

making a bet like that.

-Joe

[CorpGovActivist]

9. It Helps to Have a Genetic Disorder...

... that accelerates alcohol clearing.

:rofl:

- Dave

[pansypoo53219]

3. poo

holidays is for dastardly spoons!

[CorpGovActivist]

5. "holidays is for dastardly spoons" - May the Sackville-Bagginses...

... never swipe yours.

; )

- Dave

[BuyingThyme]

6. Gosh, I learned so many games from my cousins over Christmas.

From kick the can (I think that's what they actually called it) to darts.

[CorpGovActivist]

11. Colonial Williamsburg at Thankgiving...

... was great. They were playing colonial games that are precursors to ones we still play today.

- Dave

[Rydz777]

10. Bravo! Away with the mindless video games. nt

[CorpGovActivist]

12. Mental Dexterity n/t

[TlalocW]

13. Our family game is "Set"

A game where you try to make sets out of cards that are laid down. You can see how it's played at http://setgame.com. Our home rules allow for punching someone in the arm when they yell, "Set!" and then pick out 3 cards that don't add up to one. My oldest sister is often quite sore at the end of the first game.

TlalocW

[CorpGovActivist]

14. Ever Play Punchbuggy on Road Trips? n/t