What would you do differently?
18 May '20 11:391 editMost of us that have played tournament chess for more than a few years have done some things we wish we had not. As I make the slow transition from correspondence chess, back to over the board, I feel the need to confess my past sins as a reminder not to do these things again. I invite anyone here to do the same as we strive to repent of our errant ways.
1. In the late 80's my job was offshored to India. Financial hardships soon followed. Hoping to find a small respite from this, I entered a large tournament, only to have a very poor result, due mostly to nagging worries about money during the event. In a fit of anger and depression, I tossed my chess set, clock and miscellaneous tournament things into a wooded area alongside the road on the way home from the event. Once home, my small chess library (about 7 books) soon found their way into a nearby dumpster, as I attempted to "cleanse" myself of this miserable experience. A weekend drinking binge soon followed. The lesson I learned: Don't use chess as an escape from one's real world problems. It usually doesn't work.
2. Too attached to my rating: Though I've mellowed a bit in this area, I still put too much stock in my rating. Must start to think long term. All players go through slumps, it's part of the learning process. This is still a work in progress for me.
OK, I've confessed my chess sins, and feel a little better seeing it written. Would anyone else here care to do the same? 😏
1. In the late 80's my job was offshored to India. Financial hardships soon followed. Hoping to find a small respite from this, I entered a large tournament, only to have a very poor result, due mostly to nagging worries about money during the event. In a fit of anger and depression, I tossed my chess set, clock and miscellaneous tournament things into a wooded area alongside the road on the way home from the event. Once home, my small chess library (about 7 books) soon found their way into a nearby dumpster, as I attempted to "cleanse" myself of this miserable experience. A weekend drinking binge soon followed. The lesson I learned: Don't use chess as an escape from one's real world problems. It usually doesn't work.
2. Too attached to my rating: Though I've mellowed a bit in this area, I still put too much stock in my rating. Must start to think long term. All players go through slumps, it's part of the learning process. This is still a work in progress for me.
OK, I've confessed my chess sins, and feel a little better seeing it written. Would anyone else here care to do the same? 😏
