Severino: Smile and Say 'Chess'

Thursday, March 10, 2011

A WISE man, most probably a chess player, once said, "Chess has the power to make men happy."

With this saying in mind, I am honored to be presenting to you, dear readers, a column every Tuesday and Thursday about the royal game which is also called the "king of games" and the "game of kings."

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This game, indeed, can make men happy - and how! One solid proof is that the Chess Olympiad is held every two years with more than a hundred nations participating, sending men's and women's chess team with coaches, seconds and researchers. Like the Olympics, this sports event offers no cash prizes, just trophies and medals. Of course, what each chess team is vying for is the glory plus the prestige that goes with it.

For me, the glory, prestige and pride that come with excellence in chess is definitely higher than in other games. In most games, to be on top requires a good physique; in chess, a good mind is obviously the major factor. Most fans and admirers would look up to a good mind more than to a good body. To drive this point, people would look down on an actress with a mind-boggling body but with a low IQ and yet, still admire an intelligent actress even if she has a so-so appearance.

Anyone with a good body but a weak mind would not go far while one with a good mind, even if with a weak body, would still have a better potential. What's more, a good mind usually lasts longer than a good body. A sexy body just cannot be that sexy after one or two decades but a good mind stays strong after reaching 60 years or more. A 60-year-old chess player may still be competing at top level but a boxer or a basketball player often retires when he is fortyish. Back in 1974, Russian Grandmaster (GM) Viktor Korchnoi, aged 61, challenged fellow Russian GM Anatoly Karpov for the US$5M world chess championship in Baguio City, Philippines.

However, the Chess Olympiad and the world chess championship are in the highest level of chess competition. Going down to ordinary chess-playing, many a wife, girlfriend or child has experienced problems with the husband, boyfriend or father because of the time he spends on this game. Due to this so-called "gymnastics of the mind", the chess lover tends to forget all his other loves. From my own experience, I concluded that "Chess and chicks don't mix."

And so, I'm glad to have been given this opportunity to share with you, my dear readers, the happiness or at least the amusement that chess grants. My brother Leandro who is a chess champ himself and my nephew, FIDE Master (FM) Sander Severino, shall be helping me. Leandro who has written a humorous book would be injecting some humor into my column (heaven forbid). Next Tuesday, I will be presenting a feature about Sander who is now considered as the strongest chess player in Negros.

Further, a chess puzzle shall be included to somehow stimulate the readers' minds since they might be already idle or lazy with all the technology in this modern world. Happy reading to all and woodpushing to some!