Good governance and the game of chess

       
                                Good governance and the game of chess

It is the knowledge and implementation of the principles and rules of good politics and concern for the welfare of the people that is the basis of good governance and that contributes to the prosperity of the nation.
To inculcate the dry principles of politics through the medium of interesting stories, games and puzzles had been a trend among the wise to common men in those days. It is interesting to note that this remarkable and graceful game of chess was also used as a moral guide in those days. There is a belief that chess was used as a means to cure the cruelty of a vile king of the sixth century B.C who murdered his father also a king and then disposed of his body by chopping it into three hundred pieces and feeding the pieces to three hundred vultures. To put a end to the brutality of his new leader, a good wise minister created chess and taught him and played with him in order to instill virtues and transform him into a just and moral ruler.In those days, when a king fought with his opponents according to rules and regulations and won over them with his skill and wisdom without using any brutal force, the opponents would accede to his sovereignty in awe and admiration for his qualities, accepting the defeat gracefully. There never existed any bitterness in their relationship. This game depicts war between two parties where winning or loosing depends on the skill. In this war game, ideas were important and more powerful than luck or brute force. Morality and politics are integrated. It conveys the truth of politics such as strategy, long-range planning, concentration and extreme care not to loose things. A king takes care of his country. And various pieces in the form of loyal subjects defend their just and moral king. Different pieces may look unequal, but each has strength to be reckoned with. This shows that each member of a society is indispensable, regardless of rank. This game also represents the struggles and hopes of a society.
The game of chess is not merely an amusement tool, but a graceful game of war, discipline and purity. Admiration and fascination for this rich classic game is universal and is seen in nearly every culture throughout the history. It is a popular game. People love it because it is a challenging game of brain, thinking, intelligence. And knowledge is power and it gives a sense of accomplishment and joy.
The game inspired and fascinated many great thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau and others.
Benjamin Franklin, a dedicated lover of the game of chess says, " Life is a kind of Chess, in which we have often points to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with."
This game became a sort of intellectual and moral whetstone for Franklin. He retired on it to continually sharpen his thinking and clarify his values. In his essay " The Morals of Chess," published in 1786, he pointed out that the game improved a person's
Foresight- looking ahead to the long-term consequences of any action.
Circumspection - surveying the entire scene, observing hidden dynamics and unseen possibilities.
Caution - avoiding haste and unnecessary blunders.
Perseverance - refusing to give up in dim circumstances, continually pushing to improve one's position.
The game teaches and enhances discipline, focus, concentration, patience and persistence, self- perception, efficiency in learning. It increases the cognitive power of the brain'' and makes one feel young.
It is said,
" Play the opening like a book, the middle game like a magician, and the end game like a machine."
The entire nature has been pictured as a chessboard,
"  The chessboard is the world, the pieces are the phenomena of the universe, the rules of the game are what we call the laws of Nature. The player on the other side of the board is hidden from us. We know that his play is always fair, just, and patient. But also we know, to our cost, that he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance."