The Morals of Chess by Dr. Benjamin Franklin
Written in 1750
[Playing at Chess, is the most ancient and the most universal game known
among men; for its original is beyond the memory of history, and it has, for
numberless ages, been the amusement of all the civilized nations of Asia,
the Persians, the Indians, and the Chinese. Europe has had it above a
thousand years; the Spaniards have spread it over their part of America, and
it begins lately to make its appearance in these States. It is so
interesting in itself, as not to need the view of gain to induce engaging in
it; and thence it is never played for money. Those, therefore, who have
leisure for such diversions, cannot find one that is more innocent; and the
following piece, written with a view to correct (among a few young friends)
some little improprieties in the practice of it, shews at the same time that
it may, in its effects on the mind, be not merely innocent, but
advantageous, to the vanquished as well as to the victor.]
(1)
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 or 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 effects
of prudence or the want of it.
By playing at chess, then, we may learn,
1. 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 advantages 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?"
2. Circumspection, which surveys the whole chess-board, or scene of action,
the relations of the several pieces and situations, the dangers they are
respectively 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 the other piece; and what different means can be used to
avoid his stroke, or turn its consequences against him.
3. 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: "
and it is therefore best that these rules should be observed, as the game
thereby becomes 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 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
favorable change, 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 sudden 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 by our own skill, or, at least, of
giving a stale mate, by the negligence of our adversary. And whoever
considers, what in chess he often sees instances of, that particular pieces
of success are apt to produce presumption, and its consequent, inattention,
by which more is afterwards lost than was gained by the preceding advantage,
while misfortunes produce ore care and attention, by which the loss may be
recovered, will learn not to be too much discouraged by the present success
of his adversary, nor to despair of final good fortune, upon every little
check he receives in the pursuit of it, That we may, therefore, be induced
more frequently to chuse this beneficial amusement, in preference to others
which are not attended with the same advantages, every circumstance which
may increase the pleasures 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
players, which is, to pass the time agreeably.
Therefore, firstly: If it is agreed to play according to the strict rules,
then those rules are to be exactly observed by both parties ; and should not
be insisted on for one side, while deviated from by the other: for this is
not equitable.
Secondly. 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.
Thirdly. No false move should ever be made to extricate yourself out of a
difficulty, or to gain an advantage. There can be no pleasure in playing
with a person once detected in such unfair practices.
Fourthly. If your adversary is long in playing, you ought not to hurry him,
or express any uneasiness at his delay. You should not sing, nor whistle,
nor look at your watch, nor take up a book to read, nor make a tapping with
your feet on the floor, or with your fingers on the table, nor do any thing
that may disturb his attention. For all these things displease; and they do
not shew your skill in playing, but your craftiness or rudeness.
Fifthly. 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.
Sixthly. You must not, when you have gained a victory, use any triumphing or
insulting expression, nor show too much pleasure ; 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 had the
best of the game, but something happened to divert your thoughts, and that
turned it in my favour."
Seventhly. If you are a spectator while others play, observe the most
perfect silence: For if you give advice, you offend both parties; him,
against whom you give it, because it may cause the loss of his game; him, in
whose favour you give it, because, though it be good, and he follows 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 it might have been played better: for that
displeases, and may 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 have a mind 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
above 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 unskillfulness or inattention; but point out to him kindly,
that by such a move he places or leaves a piece in danger and unsupported;
that by another he will put his king in a dangerous situation, etc. By this
generous civility (so opposite to the unfairness above forbidden) you may,
indeed, happen to lose the game to your opponent, but you will win what is
better, his esteem, his respect, and his affection; together with the silent
approbation and good will of impartial spectators.
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With best regards
God Bless
Alan
Plantation, Sunny South Florida
