Philosophy, lifestyle: online chess, part 1

Self-tutoring about hidden talents: the tutor reflects about online chess.

If a person thinks they’re smart, then plays online chess, they might come away with a moderated opinion. At almost any skill level, it’s easy for most people to find someone who can beat them. Interestingly, their rating may not even be much different from the opponent’s.

Because one can win or lose a game of chess, people perhaps try harder at it than they might at things like weight loss, etc. After all, it’s hard to “win” the battle with unwanted pounds, since the problem often has a way of returning.

For me, online chess can reveal intelligence and creativity that are relatively common, but unrevealed, among ordinary people. I often find myself wondering, after losing to someone online, how many people who know them even know they play chess.

After all, good ideas can be much more helpful in chess than in everyday life.