How Chess Is Like Boxing

 

Imagine you are in a boxing ring. The light dimly shines in the center of the ring. The crowd cheers wildly. You are at one corner while your opponent is at another.

"Ding, ding," the bell rings and the match starts. In the first few seconds, you analyze your opponent. You might even throw some punches and spar for a little bit but meanwhile you get to know your opponent's strengths and weaknesses.

Based on your analysis you create a plan of attack and carry it out. Boxing is like chess. Your first 15 moves are the opening. They set the tone for the game. For example, if your opponent plays a gambit in the opening you know that the game will likely be an open game with many tactics.

 

You get to see your opponent's strengths and weaknesses. The middlegame is where you evaluate and carry out your plan of attack. After the 15th move or opening sets of moves, you should evaluate your position. You can evaluate your position by asking yourself these questions:

1. Is my king safe? This is an important question to ask because sometimes we want to attack our opponent's king while leaving ours completely vulnerable.

2. Am I developed? Just like king safety, we sometimes skip this question. It is better to go into a battle will all your pieces than with half. There are more chances of succeeding when all your pieces are in the game.

3. What are my weaknesses? Understanding your weaknesses will help strengthen your position. Noticing your weaknesses before your opponent gives you an advantage.

4. What are my opponent's weaknesses? Here you will evaluate weak and key squares.

Based on your answers you will make a plan for the middlegame. Just like in boxing, chess has general combinations and moves for a plan of attack.

In general, there are three main plans of attack.

1. The first one is just like a left or right punch. This plan consists of attacking on either the queenside or kingside.

2. A jab is like attacking through the center of the board. This is an attack on the e- or f-file.

3. Combos are attacks from the sides of the board to the center or an attack from the center to a side.

Now it might sound simple and easy but you have to come up with a way to break through. For example, if you decided to attack through the center, you need to decide which pieces and pawns you need to use to carry out the attack.

I hope you learn from my experiences and use them in your own life!