Chess master

Mention was made in Monday's post of chess tournaments. Wesley So (24), originally from the Philippines but now living in Minnesota, has been playing chess in tournaments since childhood.

In Monday's post, a professor claimed that long/intense thinking puts a lot of physical stress on the body. Wesley So doesn't address the gender questions raised Monday and Tuesday in this blog, but he serves as a good example of the huge effort required in a great chess competitor.

He defended his title of U.S. chess champion in April against eleven opponents who wanted to take it away from him. He says he doesn't play chess now for fun.

“You really have to want it. You have to be ready to give up everything to study, train, and compete. I usually study eight to 10 hours most days. Chess is not a team sport, so you are very much on your own physically and emotionally. Some matches can run up to eight hours or more, and once the clock starts there is no stopping or going back. Your mind is involved in solving problems as quickly as possible, and that motor keeps running until the game is done. I don’t think there is any professional ballplayer who is asked to play continuously like that.”

from World Magazine