History of Chess • page 11/11 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

"I have heard that some regard it (Chinese Chess) as an idle time-waster there, but I'm not at all sure of this."

True story.

At work, I play Chinese Chess with a Chinese guy, from China. My record against him was 6 W - 6 L - 3 D.

We talk about history and culture. I told him that I can decipher Chinese because Vietnamese is half Chinese like English is half French. Then he said, "Norman invasion, 1066." I was amazed. Then he hold me he's really into history.

That young kid is Chinese citizen, grew up in China and now is working in DC in a international corporation. And for a time, he TAUGHT at the University of Maryland, Economics and Mathematics. A Chinese citizen, grew up in China, TEACHING in an American University. Now he returned to China to do economics and mathematics research for a Chinese University.

He told me his retired grandfather plays Chinese chess. He's playing Chinese Chess. He doesn't consider it a waste of time, and neither do I.

100% true story.

@phoenixshade "I have heard that some regard it (Chinese Chess) as an idle time-waster there, but I'm not at all sure of this." True story. At work, I play Chinese Chess with a Chinese guy, from China. My record against him was 6 W - 6 L - 3 D. We talk about history and culture. I told him that I can decipher Chinese because Vietnamese is half Chinese like English is half French. Then he said, "Norman invasion, 1066." I was amazed. Then he hold me he's really into history. That young kid is Chinese citizen, grew up in China and now is working in DC in a international corporation. And for a time, he TAUGHT at the University of Maryland, Economics and Mathematics. A Chinese citizen, grew up in China, TEACHING in an American University. Now he returned to China to do economics and mathematics research for a Chinese University. He told me his retired grandfather plays Chinese chess. He's playing Chinese Chess. He doesn't consider it a waste of time, and neither do I. 100% true story.

phoenixshade

#102

I must add that there are those who consider chess a waste of time, too. My goal here is not to denigate the game; only to understand how prevalent is that view that I have heard from a Chinese person living in the US.

I actually find the game quite fascinating.

PS: University of Maryland is my alma mater.

I must add that there are those who consider chess a waste of time, too. My goal here is not to denigate the game; only to understand how prevalent is that view that I have heard from a Chinese person living in the US. I actually find the game quite fascinating. PS: University of Maryland is my alma mater.

Long_Quach

#103

Many people consider many arts a waste of time, including the people who practice an the art. I saw in the movie Secretariat. The brother is talking to his sister. "Why are you holding on to the past (horse racing) when that past no longer exists (in the world of cars)?

We think that life is something new. It's the same ****, different day. Horse racing is racing, is fighting to be the top. Life is still the same no matter how technological we get.

"Rising up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet

JUST A MAN AND WILL TO SURVIVE." - Rocky III.

The Japanese have a word for that in the martial arts. Koryu 古流, literally "old school". It's like an Ebonics word: Old Skool.

The basics never went out of fashion.

Many people consider many arts a waste of time, including the people who practice an the art. I saw in the movie Secretariat. The brother is talking to his sister. "Why are you holding on to the past (horse racing) when that past no longer exists (in the world of cars)? We think that life is something new. It's the same ****, different day. Horse racing is racing, is fighting to be the top. Life is still the same no matter how technological we get. "Rising up, back on the street Did my time, took my chances Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet JUST A MAN AND WILL TO SURVIVE." - Rocky III. The Japanese have a word for that in the martial arts. Koryu 古流, literally "old school". It's like an Ebonics word: Old Skool. The basics never went out of fashion.