The game of chess provides its enthusiasts with sharp mental exercise as well as the fellowship of other players. It is also a hobby deeply rooted in history. According to legend, chess was developed by a Persian general to teach his students how to effectively deploy different types of units on the battlefield. This bellicose aspect is far from our genteel experience of the game. The chess that we play today has been evangelized by its contact with Christianity. Just as Christmas replaced pagan solstice celebrations and St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, so chess changed from a martial training aid to the serene form we see today. The game now shares many similarities with the Catholic Faith, many of which might come as a surprise.
Center of the Board
Chess players are admonished to control the center of the board. From there, one is in a solid position to control the game. The center of the board also accurately describes the Catholic outlook on virtues and philosophy. St. Benedict counseled moderation in all things. Many of the saints and great teachers of the Church have seen virtue as being the mean between extremes. Chastity is the mean between licentiousness and Puritanism. Despair and presumption represent the excesses that the virtue of hope transcends. One of the benefits of belonging to the community of the Church is the presence of mentors. Spiritual directors, priests, and experienced believers all can help keep us centered on Christ, and avoid the pitfalls of spiritual extremes.
Freedom and Sacrifice
Many other tenets of Catholic theology are embodied on the chessboard. The chessboard calls its players to adhere to a set of rules to ensure fairness and equality. There are many means and strategies which players may employ to achieve victory. Some players are conservative, and work on building solid positions, others are aggressive, and seek exchanges of pieces and expansion on the board. Some moves are unwise, and can end up being detrimental to a player. Likewise, in the ethical sphere, human beings operate within a moral framework of laws. Persons have freedom of action, but not all actions are good or right. Some strategies on the chessboard, though freely chosen within the rules of the game, are not the best moves for victory.
In a reflection of the realities of the spiritual life, one may feel called to sacrifice a piece during one move for the sake of the game as a whole. Redemptive sacrifice is a theme that permeates Christianity. The scriptures of the Old Testament detail the sacrifices of the Temple. The New Testament centers on the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. The prayer of the Church through all times and places has its focal point in the sacrifice of the Mass. The writings of monks and mystics throughout the ages call the faithful to find God in the daily sacrifices of ordinary living.
Chess is a relaxing game that challenges the intellect and fosters quiet contemplation among its players. The pieces themselves hearken back to a quaint and romantic time of bishops, queens, and knights. The weaving of an elegant dance between these characters brings a quiet, serene spirit to the game. It is refreshing to see how some of the principles well known to chess players can lead to a deeper understanding of the Catholic Faith.
Kyro R. Lantsberger is a summa cum laude graduate of Minnesota State University-Mankato in Political Science/Law Enforcement. He has served with the U.S. Army in both Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iraq. He currently lives in southern Minnesota with his wife and children. Lantsberger can be contacted at kyrolantsberger@hotmail.com.
