Chess.

     Chess is a brilliant game. Among other things, it teaches oppositional thinking, that is, thinking for the enemy. A good chess player never makes a move for nothing. He thinks of many moves ahead for himself and for the enemy. He mentally puts himself in the opponent’s place and tries to find the best response to his own move. Then he mentally moves to his place and again tries to find the best answer to the opponent’s move. And so there are several options for each move. And so it goes for several moves ahead. It’s difficult. It makes the brains strain several times harder. But it works.

     And what about life? How often do we take the trouble to think over a few moves forward in real life?

     For example, someone pushed you in a queue. Your first reaction is to push back or to swear. But if you give it a thought and mentally scroll the picture a few moves forward, then you clearly see the whole perspective of this situation. The person in response will push you even harder, you will start to fight, maybe you’re stronger, but then you will be awfully embarrassed with this banal squabble.

     The next option: the fight does not start, but both of you are abused and hate each other, afraid to meet an eye contact. You leave the queue embittered and ready to vent anger on someone else.

     The third option: you suddenly smile in response to the person who pushed you and apologize. The man is dumbfounded. He feels guilty and begins to apologize himself. You smile at each other and leave the queue almost as friends.

     A good chess player has all these options slipping in his head at the speed of light. Sometimes, even as home preparations, these moves are drawn by the ready results. And he chooses the best option.

     And what about other people who do not take the trouble to think, “And then what? How will this situation end?”

     They push each other and lose again and again.