Is there a Philosophy of the chess game ?

Why i wrote this blog

I know that I sometimes get annoying with my ultra-positive thoughts and my recurring discussions about style of play. In my previous blogs, I tried to show a little insight into what I call motivation on the 64 squares. So here's a little sequel to the previous one:

I would say that chess is a game that calls for philosophy, since on the chessboard it is regular to question oneself, its working methods and above all what is the purpose of this game, what am I looking for in this. therefore, even in history, the chess game is famous, often cited in art, many people see in this game as a reflection of the human soul and its impulses on a Freudian model. besides, psychology has found in chess a matter to explore.
but the game of chess also has material to question in a philosophical way!

just a little reminder, do not confuse psychology and philosophy: philosophy is a "human science", perpetually inexact since its goal is a reflection based on questioning and constant doubt on current subjects, each philosophy is different and the The philosopher's research never succeeds completely since his goal is to question himself. psychology is a medical science that seeks to give a name to phenomena of the human mind. psychology explores and rationally explains the workings of the mind. In chess, psychology is used in a practical way (to try to describe what is going on in the opponent's head, how to bluff) and in a theoretical way thanks to practice (match summary explanations, analysis of reflexes, choice/decision-making, with scientific experiments).

so, why talk about a "game" philosophy in chess?

as I said, chess calls for reflection and questioning outside of psychology.
precisely, it is possible to take the concrete example of what am I looking for while playing chess? some pleasure ? the competition ? ranking? Set yourself goals and tell yourself that there are others. if you will perpetually question yourself, you will try to progress since you will consider the objective reached as insufficient. many people worry about rankings, but what are they looking for? you have to say to yourself, once you have reached this ranking, what do you do? Let's imagine than you are at the top of the mountain, are you going down or are you looking at the landscape? or will you try to climb higher mountains?

Chess Goals

take time and with all that you will get there. but after ? this is where what I call secondary goals comes in, you say: I want to play prestigious tournaments, like the Titled Arena or try to do even better in Over the board. or maybe you are doing this because someone encouraged you to do it and the next goal is to do even better! maybe you have goals like winning tournaments and such, but always think about surpass and excel yourself. And ask if you could have done better (but also tell yourself that it's cool that you didn't do worse!)

Somes thought and my opinion

there is no exact game philosophy, just a thought to encourage you to ask yourself questions about the place that chess holds for you, and also how to reach a certain form of wisdom that will allow you to no longer to worry about useless things, and which will help you to fully realize the luck that playing chess represents, it is a point of view which is personal and I hope that there will be players who will have the spirit critical and who could by reading this blog say that such and such things do not please them. this is a good thing ! because you will have already asked yourself certain questions, and you will have found your own game philosophy!
So the game philosophy about i talk today is : make good things, rejoice and take pleasure while playing, do a discipline of hard work. philosophy is imperfect. nevertheless, having a form of work discipline (hardwork) that you enjoy, can help you play well, set goals and do not expect results, but progress, joy and fun. the ratings, losses and results can be a depressing motive, so never say anything bad about your own quality of play, tell yourself that if you have sometimes missed things, then you are able to see them, and to be able to work to be able to correct these mistakes, so if you do better, you can rejoice at having reached a first level, little by little you will progress, and forget your ranking, because if you lose points, you will always be able to win them back!

conclusion

it may seem surprising to wonder if there is a philosophy to play chess better. I would say that there are as many game philosophy as there are players and it won't directly help you to play well, you won't find the right moves just by thinking without playing. a philosophical thought CAN help you to make the effort to work and to be able to find the good moves! it's a perpetual virtuous circle: think, question yourself, find goals, practice, work, improve yourself and repeat the same process. the goal is above all that you feel good while playing, and that you have fun. if you want to achieve your goals, it will be an extra pleasure for you, which will push you to do more and better! good luck and above all have a lot of fun!
Just a last thing, Thanks pexels.com for the picture ! Greeting!