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"All Izz Well": Overcoming Negative Emotions on and off the Chessboard

#2

Hello,

I read your blog post, I found it very moving and inspiring. I just wanted to say how much I appreciate that you wrote it and to wish you all the best.

Bunny

Hello, I read your blog post, I found it very moving and inspiring. I just wanted to say how much I appreciate that you wrote it and to wish you all the best. Bunny
#3

Amazing blog post by an amazing person! :)

Amazing blog post by an amazing person! :)
#5

@BunnyOne said in #2:

@Tactrics64 said in #4:

Keep it up!

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! Glad that you enjoy my journey story Wishing you all the best as well!

@BunnyOne said in #2: > @Tactrics64 said in #4: > Keep it up! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! Glad that you enjoy my journey story Wishing you all the best as well!
#6

Thanks for sharing. That's inspiring and also puts the situation of amateurs into perspective compared to this professional journey.

Whatever struggles we may have with chess as amateur players, it doesn't really compare to this, because at the end of the day there is never really that much on the line.

I guess it is a special situation when so much is on the line in a game, on the one hand there is more pressure, on the other hand one can probably reach deep for additional strength.

Probably where professional and amateur perspective can meet again is when it comes to loving the game itself and gaining strength and independence from circumstances through that. The circumstances may differ, the food may definitely differ for some, but ultimately it's still the same game.

Thanks for sharing. That's inspiring and also puts the situation of amateurs into perspective compared to this professional journey. Whatever struggles we may have with chess as amateur players, it doesn't really compare to this, because at the end of the day there is never _really_ that much on the line. I guess it is a special situation when so much is on the line in a game, on the one hand there is more pressure, on the other hand one can probably reach deep for additional strength. Probably where professional and amateur perspective can meet again is when it comes to loving the game itself and gaining strength and independence from circumstances through that. The circumstances may differ, the food may definitely differ for some, but ultimately it's still the same game.
#7

This was the most powerful essay I've ever read about chess. Thank you for the courageous gift of this story. I hope to read more from you in the future.

This was the most powerful essay I've ever read about chess. Thank you for the courageous gift of this story. I hope to read more from you in the future.
#8

@svensp
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing such a thoughtful perspective. You’re absolutely right—no matter the level, the love for the game, the core challenges and joys of chess are the same.
I really appreciate how you highlighted that connection. At the end of the day, it’s the passion for chess that drives us all forward.

I’d also like to share a bit about my experience in Vietnam. Here, a career in chess is both stable and valued. Chess players are recognized as official athletes, and the government provides us with a proper monthly wage. I’ve been receiving this salary since I was 6, and interestingly, the salary for players (even young kids) is nearly double the average income in the country. Many of my students have already signed working contracts with the government and started earning salaries at a very young age (6-12). This financial support serves as a strong motivation for many to strive toward becoming professionals.

In my case, life circumstances shaped my chess journey. My parents divorced when I was 3, and I stayed with my mom while my dad, who was unemployed, occasionally visited. I pleaded in despair for him to stay every time he left, but I always failed. I thought it was because I hadn’t hugged him tightly enough :) Each time we met I hugged harder, but he never stayed. During one visit when I was 5, he taught me chess, and I felt the same happiness as other kids: having a father to play with. My dad even promised that he would reconcile with my mom and stay with us if I continued playing chess to earn salary. That's why I became infatuated with this game - the price of quitting chess was far too high to pay.

However, as money and prizes became involved, my dad began pushing me to play for a living, I started to lose interest—much like Josh in the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer, when his father's growing obsession with his chess results took away the joy he once found in the game.

It’s always fascinating to hear how chess is viewed around the world, and I’m grateful for your perspective!

@svensp Thank you for your kind words and for sharing such a thoughtful perspective. You’re absolutely right—no matter the level, the love for the game, the core challenges and joys of chess are the same. I really appreciate how you highlighted that connection. At the end of the day, it’s the passion for chess that drives us all forward. I’d also like to share a bit about my experience in Vietnam. Here, a career in chess is both stable and valued. Chess players are recognized as official athletes, and the government provides us with a proper monthly wage. I’ve been receiving this salary since I was 6, and interestingly, the salary for players (even young kids) is nearly double the average income in the country. Many of my students have already signed working contracts with the government and started earning salaries at a very young age (6-12). This financial support serves as a strong motivation for many to strive toward becoming professionals. In my case, life circumstances shaped my chess journey. My parents divorced when I was 3, and I stayed with my mom while my dad, who was unemployed, occasionally visited. I pleaded in despair for him to stay every time he left, but I always failed. I thought it was because I hadn’t hugged him tightly enough :) Each time we met I hugged harder, but he never stayed. During one visit when I was 5, he taught me chess, and I felt the same happiness as other kids: having a father to play with. My dad even promised that he would reconcile with my mom and stay with us if I continued playing chess to earn salary. That's why I became infatuated with this game - the price of quitting chess was far too high to pay. However, as money and prizes became involved, my dad began pushing me to play for a living, I started to lose interest—much like Josh in the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer, when his father's growing obsession with his chess results took away the joy he once found in the game. It’s always fascinating to hear how chess is viewed around the world, and I’m grateful for your perspective!
#9

@RanchoWangdu Thanks for your explanations. I'm glad you ended up liking the game you were pushed into playing from a very young age. I'm sorry it was connected to such traumatic experiences. But looks like you've eventually managed to make chess work for you instead of the other way around!

@RanchoWangdu Thanks for your explanations. I'm glad you ended up liking the game you were pushed into playing from a very young age. I'm sorry it was connected to such traumatic experiences. But looks like you've eventually managed to make chess work for you instead of the other way around!
#10

@svensp Actually, I loved chess from the moment I first learned it—it was the circumstances that made things difficult. I’m glad I’ve been able to rediscover the joy I initially felt for the game.
Now my real challenge is training effectively! Not too many puzzle races or bullet just because I love chess doesn’t mean I feel comfortable and enjoyable with every part of it. High quality training takes discipline and hard work - something I’m still trying to build...

@svensp Actually, I loved chess from the moment I first learned it—it was the circumstances that made things difficult. I’m glad I’ve been able to rediscover the joy I initially felt for the game. Now my real challenge is training effectively! Not too many puzzle races or bullet just because I love chess doesn’t mean I feel comfortable and enjoyable with every part of it. High quality training takes discipline and hard work - something I’m still trying to build...