Obsession. Affliction. Addiction. Infection.
The adjectives list dynamically moves in perpetuity. Like the ramifying branches on a healthy tree, it naturally grows within the chess enthusiasts’ psyche. An all-consuming, steadily evolving, matter inherent upon its dawning, that claims a virtual birthright in the chessplayer.
There are no scarce manifestations in the observation. Two crouched adversaries on the opposite ends of an aging chessboard propped on a sidewalk pavement, on a weather-beaten park bench, under the verdant shade of Kilmer’s tree. Or the avid fan thoroughly lost in thought, eyes firmly riveted on an open chess book. Or one analyzing a chess game, or solving a chess puzzle, on a portable miniature. Or the exchange of murmurs in a blindfold game whilst the rickety bus travels or on a promenade.
The infinite glories of paradox, geometry, depth and flow only a chess game can offer is the reason sublime for a chessplayer to entertain oblivion to superimpose itself upon the decadent fragments of borrowed real time while a game progresses. This without doubt is why Caissa’s enduring ethereal beauty never fails to captivate the eye of her beholder. The smiting viral influence nary an admirer ever cares to overcome with an antidote. This affliction we might very well call “chessism”.
Undaunted, we continue with unrestrained passion, for the undying love of the game, being gladly obsessed, afflicted, addicted, infected. Specially now that we have reached a defining moment in the storied life of Chess Asia. (From Chess Asia Vol. 18 No. 1)