I'm musician and I've noticed that chess can also make you insane !
As a law student, I often see strong parallels between legal reasoning and chess. In both, every move or argument needs to be justified. A weak piece in chess, like a weak point in an argument, can undermine the entire structure. Anticipation is also key. Just as a lawyer must prepare for counterarguments, a chess player must consider the opponent’s best responses. Both disciplines reward clarity, structure, and patience. Chess sharpens logic, and law deepens my appreciation for strategy.
Good post, @Professor74 .
Chemical activation energy is also rather analogous to sufficient "development" on the chess board.
When we are newbies we at first try to attack with a single piece, or perhaps two.
The Scholar's Mate is a rite of passage for most.
But sooner or later we learn to follow the prescription of Nimzowitsch, and learn to get all of our chess pieces out of bed before going on a king hunt.
Development martials energy on the board -- and a localized supremacy of pieces provides the energy necessary. We have to "activate" our pieces sufficiently to prevail before the endgame.
A covalent bond is created when a bishop and an opposing bishop share a diagonal. Or a rook and an opposing rook share a file or even a rank. Or a knight and an opposing knight share an "L" on the board.
An ionic bond is created when a beverage calls to an online player from the refrigerator. Or, perhaps that's an ironic bond, since skillful play requires the clearest possible thinking.
Good post, @Zane2007 .
Chess play, like law practice, also takes many years to perfect, typically. And both can sometimes lead to substantial incomes for some, but not for all.
Furthermore, law differs from medicine in one way that chess does as well. Doctors are surrounded by bright people striving to help the doctor shine.
However, lawyers, like chess players, are often confronted by bright people determined to make them look mistaken, and prove them wrong, and hinder their success.
In at least one way, chess players, doctors and lawyers are similar, however: each requires a certain self-confidence and courage to succeed. We should applaud and be thankful for the best efforts of all three.
Well, as my bjj instructor says, "Position before submission."
Just like you can't get someone to tap unless you have a position that you can submit them from, you can't checkmate someone unless you have a position you can checkmate them from. Get the position and the submission will follow (hopefully).
@Professor74
Perhaps I could have been a scientist,mores the pity.
I was however an electromechanical technician and chess can be analogous to trouble shooting a problem in that both require logical thinking, application of a decision making flowchart ( If only mentally,what are the consequences of this action ?).
I also sometimes find a combination very similar to the mechanical sequence of a series of actions resulting in a desired outcome i.e output is dependent on input. A good combination is like a well oiled machine,smooth and inevitable.
Thank you so much, @Dukedog. It’s always a pleasure to read your reflections, and to receive your messages, which I truly value. You've consistently shown kindness and depth in your contributions, and I’m very grateful for that.
Your analogy is beautifully expressed. The comparison between a well-executed chess combination and a mechanical sequence has great meaning for me. That sense of logic, order, and purposeful design, where each input sets the next step in motion, is at the heart of both engineering and chess.
Also, your reference to flowcharts in troubleshooting reminded me how often, in chess, we simulate consequences before making a move. Your perspective adds real depth to this discussion.
Thanks again for sharing your experience. Your words always bring insight and encouragement.
@Professor74
Thank you.
I also studied logic gates a bit ( and,or,nor,xor etc.)
and such also also seems applicable to chess and the decision making process.
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