Solo Chess
Last night, while I was doing laundry, I played three games of chess against myself. I won a game, lost a game, and had a stalemate (a tie if you are not a chess player). Playing yourself at chess is easy if you can maintain inner boundaries, not lie to yourself, and let the game proceed on its own. Cheating is out of the question. Who in their right mind would cheat themselves?
Here are some observations from the experience: When you play against yourself your ego is no longer a factor. You will have the same blind spots on both sides of the board. You will learn from the game. The experience becomes a sort of ink blot — upon which you will see your unique mind at work. You smile at your own mistakes in the game — there is no one there to gloat. There is a sense of reverence toward the creators of the game.
If you are ever pitted against yourself, you will find similar patterns. You really cannot win against yourself. The reason is simple: No one knows his or her own mind well enough to declare a win. Alone we are the “one hand clapping.” This is why people need mentors, therapists, churches, loving mates, friends, associates, strangers, and God (not necessarily in that order). The game of life is more fun when you involve others. It is also played alone…or is it? We seem to be created in the image of a multi-faceted Being. We actually talk to ourselves from various differing mysterious vantage points.
I lose most chess games that I play; that is why I love the game so much. I cannot master it. It is also a wonderful discipline and a way of keeping your mind focused on something besides your own worries and petty concerns. Part of the mind is an obsessive problem-solver. Give it something to do so that it does not work on YOU all of the time and drive you crazy.
Yes, I enjoy my own company most. After decades of being pitted against myself, I learned to be my own best friend. With a little mentoring, I learned to nurture myself. There is no misery like being pitted against yourself. The sooner you make yourself your own best friend the better. You will even be able to play chess with yourself and not feel defeated…nor ever tire of the experience.
