The Morals of Chess
Benjamin Franklin
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 and 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 effect of prudence,
or the want of it. By playing at Chess then, we may learn:
1st, 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 advantage or disadvantage
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?"
2d, Circumspection, which surveys the whole Chess-board, or scene of
action: - the relation of the several Pieces, and their situations; the
dangers
they are repeatedly 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 that Piece; and what different means can be used to
avoid his stroke, or turn its consequences against him.
3d, 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.
Therefore, it would be the better way to observe these rules, as the game
becomes thereby 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 by 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
favourable chance, 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 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 from our skill; or, at least, from the
negligence of our adversary: and whoever considers, what in Chess he often
sees
instances of, that success is 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 any
present successes of his adversary, nor to despair of final good fortune upon
every [difficulty] 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 that may increase the pleasure 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 parties, which is, to pass the time agreeable.
1st, Therefore, if it is agreed to play according to the strict rules,
then those rules are to be strictly observed by both parties; and should not
be insisted upon for one side, while deviated from by the other: for this is
not equitable.
2d, 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.
3d, No false move should ever be made to extricate yourself out of a
difficulty, or to gain an advantage; for there can be no pleasure in playing
with a man once detected in such unfair practice.
4th, If your adversary is long in playing, you ought not to hurry him, or
express any uneasiness at his delay; not even by looking at your watch, or
taking up a book to read: you should not sing, nor whistle, nor make a
tapping with your feet on the floor, or with your fingers on the table, nor do
anything that may distract his attention: for all these displease, and they
do not prove your skill in playing, but your craftiness and your rudeness.
5th, 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 of Chess.
6th, You must not, when you have gained a victory, use any triumphing or
insulting expressions, nor show too much of the pleasure you feel; 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 play too fast; or, you had the best of the game, but something
happened to divert your thoughts, and that turned it in my favour.
7th, If you are a spectator, while others play, observe the most perfect
silence: for if you give advice, you offend both the parties: him against
whom you give it, because it may cause him to lose the game: him in whose
favour you give it, because, though it be good, and he folllow 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 they might have been placed better; for that displeases,
and might 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 desire to exercise or show your judgment, 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
before 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 unskilfulness or
inattention; but point out to him kindly, that by such a move he places or
leaves a Piece en prise unsupported; that by another, he will put his King
into
a dangerous situation, &c.
By this general civility (so opposite to the unfairness before forbidden)
you may happen indeed to lose the game; but you will win what is better,
his esteem, his respect, and his affection; together with the silent
approbation and the good will of the spectators.
When a vanquished player is guilty of an untruth to cover his disgrace, as
"I have not played so long, - his method of opening the game confused me,
- the men were of an unusual size," &c all such apologies, (to call them no
worse) must lower him in a wise person's eyes, both as a man and a
Chess-player; and who will not suspect that he who shelters himself under such
untruths in trifling matters, is no very sturdy moralist in things of greater
consequence, where his fame and honour are at stake? A man of proper pride
would scorn to account for his being beaten by one of these excuses, even
were it true; because they have all so much the appearance, at the moment,
of being untrue.
1786
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