One of the menaces that haunt many of us at times is Impatience. We tend to be impatient at times, trying to make the things happen that are not actually in one’s control. The best example of impatience is waiting for the green light to glow in a traffic signal. We tend to get so impatient that we try to move to the front, at times, even flouting the rules of overtaking or moving on the wrong direction facing the oncoming traffic. In an effort to get out of the traffic and move forward, unable to wait for an extra minute or two, we at times end up in an accident, that further delays your effort to move forward and might also result in some sort of financial loss. Not just traffic signal, but there are many such simple things that seem to be frustrating due to impatience. Some times, due to impatience, we tend to make some hasty decisions and end up ruining later. Unorganized living and impatience are some menaces that might play havoc with life.
Playing chess is one of the best means of avoiding or eliminating the menace of impatience in our life.
How is it possible that a game, played for the sake of just relaxing and fun, can teach the virtue of patience?
Well. The game of chess is a turn-based game and one cannot make the move at will, without waiting for the opponent to complete his turn. You cannot flout rules, as in traffic signal, to force the move. The need for patience is one of the inherent features in the game of chess, and for that matter, in all games involving fair play.
Another interesting aspect in the game of chess is that it is a thinking game and one needs to think before acting. You should not make a wrong move or a mistake, because your mistake in the board will be a passport for victory to the opponent. You should think, and think deeply with logical analysis before deciding to make a move. It is but natural that you need to take time for thinking and analyzing. You cannot afford to be impatient as impatience leads to haste and ultimately to a mistake.
This applies to both the players of the game. Hence, one needs to be patient and wait for his turn to make a move.
Secondly, one needs to exercise patience in executing a series of moves or deploying tactics. He has to be alert, wait for the opportune time to exploit the weakness of the opponent and when provided with the opportunity, should seize the initiative. Not all tactics will yield the desired results. Some may be nullified or foiled by the opponent. Then, you should not lose patience and act in haste, but wait for the opportune time, rethink the tactics and deploy it effectively.
Thus, the game of chess not only teaches the habit of patience, but also makes us cultivate the habit of organized and logical thinking.
Now, with the advent of the Internet, any person wishing to learn this noble game and cultivate the traits of patience and organized, logical thinking, can do so through online chess. A number of software are available to teach the game, which is easy to learn but very difficult to master and gain expertise. Playing chess online quickens the pace of learning and gaining expertise, and thus help in eliminating the menace of impatience in one’s life.