A miniature version of life

Chess, life skills, and the whole "why"

Author

Ashley Priore
March 29, 2024

A Note from the CEO

The most common question I get is, “how does chess relate to life skills?” I think people understand there is some correlation, but I certainly don’t mind re-explaining. I’m not going to sit here and list all the benefits (that’s too much fun for me!), but I will start with the most important. 

Put simply, chess teaches effective decision-making under pressure. It nurtures our ability to envision, strategize, and execute. Before making a move, we must analyze the board, weighing the implications of our opponent's moves. Why did our opponent move here? What’s their goal? How might their pieces challenge or pivot our plans? This evaluation informs our subsequent moves, as we strategically position ourselves based on our opponent's potential responses. By honing this skill of anticipation, we become adept at navigating challenging scenarios with foresight and resilience. 

Chess provides us with skills like adaptability, critical thinking, problem solving, responsibility, and foresight. 

To quote the great Susan Polgar, “chess is a miniature version of life. To be successful, you need to be disciplined, assess resources, consider responsible choices and adjust when circumstances change.”

Interested in more? Keep following me on the journey and stay tuned for more stories on the power of chess. 

xx,

Ashley Lynn Priore 

Chess Puzzle of the Week

White’s turn to move…analysis board courtesy of lichess.org

Quote of the Week

“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” - Jen Sincero, #1 New York Times bestselling author, speaker

Coming Up in the Pod 

In this episode of Queen Me, we discuss the concept of empowerment in three steps: understanding empowerment, empowering oneself, and empowering others. We emphasize that empowerment is about increasing one's capacity to make choices and transform their lives, not just through physical strength but also mental resilience.

Puzzle Solution:

Qxd4+, Qe3

Qxb2+, Qd2

Qxa1, Qxd5+

Kxh7 (discovered attacks by the queen bring joy!)