"The way he plays chess demonstrates a man's whole nature."
                                                                           ~Stanley Ellin       

Attitude Check #1 - The Four Freedoms

In the process of developing internal balance regarding winning or losing (an unavoidable lesson in even the most casual chess game), we draw strength from the innermost core...where our deepest, most ethical values reside like a rock.  Developing character through chess is very much hard-won over time.  When starting out, it is necessary to be patient...realizing it is a lengthy, though very worthwhile, process.  And, every so often, even after years and years of experience, we will find ourselves inevitably in need of reinspiration...particularly after a painful loss that has left our spirits flagging. 

For inspiration, perhaps not many things top jazz great Duke Ellington's rumination on what he called "the four freedoms by which I think [composer] Billy Strayhorn lived."  They are: 

- freedom from hate, unconditionally
- freedom from self-pity
- freedom from fear of doing something that would help someone else more than it does myself
- freedom from the kind of pride that could make a person feel that he is better than his brother or neighbor

Duke's words seem to succinctly cover the necessary range, putting things back in perspective.  Until we've made this kind of adjustment, it's difficult to get back into productively preparing for the next game.

More on each of the four freedoms in future installments...

Two other great sources for inspiration are Kipling and Churchill.  Click here to return to the Chess Odyssey home page.

© 2002-2004 Pete Prochaska.  All rights reserved.