Shakespearean Gambit

Over the years I've enjoyed chess.  Some years more than others.  I've owned and read Modern Chess Openings 13, though I cannot find it now.  And once I was an moderately good unrated player.  (Chess Tip: don't stop, you lose it fast.)

Anyway, recently I've gotten back into chess.  It happened when I tried to sell my chess pieces and board on SIS as part of my reduce efforts for the 100 Thing Challenge.  My wife said I shouldn't.  Since wife's know best, I listened.  And now I'm staying up late working on odd defenses for black.  My wife is kicking herself.

Speaking of men and women and chess... I was browsing the U.S. Chess website when I came across this, uh, encouragement to young male chess players:

I'm a single guy in college, and I heard chess is nerdy and devoid of womenfolk. Why should I play?

Chess is a great game that can lull its devotees to trance like states of concentration. Finding a wonderful and surprising move can fill you up with aesthetic joy and the pride of discovery. A game of chess or a tournament can test your will power, discipline and sportsmanship, resulting in intense situations that draw many to the game. In the chess world, race, gender and class are invisible. It's inspiring to see eight-year-olds competing with senior citizens, and Gucci-clad investment bankers fighting it out with high-school janitors.

Chess is not nerdy at all. We've come a long way since the days of cheap "chess is nerdy" jokes in Saved by the Bell! Celebrities who are crazy about chess include supermodel Carmen Kass, pop star Madonna, actor Will Smith, magician David Blaine and boxer Lennox Lewis. International chess superstar Garry Kasparov has been interviewed in every place from Charlie Rose to Playboy, and starred in a Pepsi commercial. Alexandra Kosteniuk, a Grandmaster from Russia has done modeling shoots for Vogue, Elle and Mademoiselle. If you still think chess is nerdy, browse through our U.S. player galleries for more evidence to the contrary.

 

The lack of female participation is a serious problem in chess. I hope that doesn't cause you to leave chess, but rather to think about changing chess. Do you have a female friends or sister who is sharp witted and confident? Teach her chess and bring her to a tournament. The male-dominated atmosphere scares many women at first, but many warm up to the attention they get at tournaments. Now there is usually a critical mass of girls and young women at tournaments. Often, these female participants meet and bond together, making the environment less alienating.

Comments

[John]

Garry Kasparov was in a Pepsi commercial? Yah? Weird Al Yankovic was in a Diet Coke commercial.

Chess is nerdy. But that's okay.

I've been doing chess problems every day for the last couple of weeks but haven't played an actual game in a *long* time. I'd love to play sometime.

[Nina Ruth]

i'd kick both your booties in a game of chess!

[Dave Bruno]

Hmm wonder how to respond. Why don't we set up some online games?