What Did Einstein Say About Chess?

We have always thought of chess as what physical exercise it does to the body. Geniuses in various fields throughout the ages have been known to have loved this game, and these geniuses have come from different fields - science, maths, administration, art, literature, etc. That is because of the irrefutable attraction this game holds for anyone who likes to exercise their mind. That is one of the reasons why going for beginner chess lessons can be tremendously helpful for children who wish to develop their mental skills. However, it is easy to wonder what geniuses like Einstein have to say about chess. Here, we bring you the answer.

There are claims that Einstein didn’t like chess. The claim is based on a few things he said about the game. The truth is that he did play chess to relax but warned against unnecessarily obsessing against the same. The following are some of the things he has said.

• “Chess holds its master in its own bonds, shackling the mind and brain so that the inner freedom of the very strongest must suffer.”

As you can see, the quote reflects the way chess is capable of capturing the imagination, even of someone like Einstein. The suffering mentioned in the quote, however, is caused by an irresistible desire to improve in the game.

• "The enormous mental resilience, without which no Chess player can exist, was so much taken up by chess that he could never free his mind of this game.”

Here, Einstein is talking about the mental resilience that must be developed in the course of learning over the game. However, as regards freeing one’s mind for other things, it is a well-known fact Einstein himself not only did so but freed himself enough to solve the most difficult problems of Physics that weren’t even known before his time. All one learns from this quote is that chess is a great servant but a bad mistress.

• “I have always disliked the fierce competitive spirit embodied in that highly intellectual game.”

Here, Einstein’s problem is not so much with the game of chess but the competitive spirit - and this spirit is embodied in all sports. As much Einstein may have an aversion to it, this same competitive spirit is known to stimulate people to improve. Moreover, if this competitive spirit is the issue, it must be noted that it is common to all sports. Additionally, one must also note here the compliment Einstein is giving to the game of chess in passing by calling it ‘highly intellectual’ - which is incredible as it comes from the greatest intellectual of our time.

So, if he loved the game, why was Einstein not the greatest chess champion of his time? It is a good question. The answer is easy - while geniuses of several intellectual fields love chess, their achievement in their fields is not in perfect proportion to their skills in the game. The geniuses like Einstein may use chess to maintain mental aptitude while exercising most of it in their preferred field (Physics in the case of Einstein). Your child too may take this course by going for our chess lessons for beginners.