The Checkers/Chess Comparison Analogy...again

[jaguar72]

This, in the 11 April 2011 Dayton Daily News, quote from a Kathleen Parker editorial about last week's budget battle in congress:

"Even hard-right conservatives have been missing the point. As one observer close to the action put it: 'John Boehner has been playing chess while these guys (armchair Tea Party strategists) have been playing checkers.' "

No matter what side you are on and no matter whether the subject is politics or sport (none of it important to the analogy) this comparison is d**n irritating if you play checkers.

I've seen this same chess/checkers comparison used many times about many subjects, the implication being, of course, that chess is a very difficult, intellectual, analytical, cutting-edge game while checkers is simple, only played by a bunch of simpletons who are incapable, apparently, of any kind of higher thought; the game is played across cracker barrels in dusty general stores...a suitable game for children and no more than that. No talent or planning required.

The irony is that the person making this chess/checkers comparison, usually some clueless politician (yeah, I know, that's redundant...) on either side, or a newspaper/television commentator (equally clueless), is not familiar with either game beyond, perhaps, the superficial movement of the pieces (if even that).

It's like comparing, oh, classical music and jazz: they are both complex and quite profound but are very, very different; a preference for either (or both) doesn't really say much about the kind of person you are, intellectually or otherwise. Substitute "classical music" and "jazz" for chess and checkers in the above quote and you'll see what I mean.

Does it matter? Not really, I guess.

Does anybody really care? Probably not.

Does it irritate me? Big time. More than you can imagine...it makes me grind my teeth every time I see it in print. It's an ignorant thing to say; there is no excuse for it; it's not even a good analogy.

Um, there you have it. Pet peeve o' the day.

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

[Eric Strange]

I play Chess and checkers... of course I am a checkers player but I do tend to beat most players across a chess board is they want to call my game easy.

In playing both games I would have to say that there is no game above the other. They both require offense, defense, and thinking ahead. The huge difference being Many available moves and little available moves. Another different being I can retreat whenever I like in Chess.... In checkers if your retreating then your probly gonna lose or moved wrong earlier. This may be a personal thing but I actually find chess to be easier for me.

[Danny_Alvarez]

Gary, i have heard it b4 and it is bloody annoying if u like checkers ....

all i can say is that if someone took enough time to know the game they wouldnt say things like that.

Eric i also think that chess is easier... checkers is more subtle in my opinion and it has an added richness for it.

cheers
Danny

[George Hay]

When it comes to Chess vs. Checkers, I'll stick with Edgar Allan Poe. Not to get political, but I like this cartoon:
Obama plays Chess while Hillary plays Checkers!

http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoo ... f69a0.html

[jaguar72]

When it comes to Chess vs. Checkers, I'll stick with Edgar Allan Poe. Not to get political, but I like this cartoon:
Obama plays Chess while Hillary plays Checkers!

It's a good one, George...and at least the board is oriented correctly, the chess pieces are on the correct squares, and the pawn and knight moves are correct. Of course, the checkers are on the wrong color but that only proves (kind of...) my point.

Thanks for the input; much appreciated.

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Hey guys, can you talk about something else ??? This is not very funny, a bit disturbing and insulting ... for me.

I'll be very appreciate it.

Alex

[jaguar72]

Hey guys, can you talk about something else ??? This is not very funny, a bit disturbing and insulting ... for me.

I'll be very appreciate it.

Alex

Okay, Alex, since I initiated the topic I've got to ask. In what possible way can a civilized discussion by checkers enthusiasts of this topic (i.e., the frequent, incorrect use of the chess/checkers comparison analogy in the media) be disturbing and insulting??

And you are correct; It's not particularly funny. Ignorance rarely is, but that's the whole point.

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

[Ingo_Zachos]

Those who made this comparisons are obviously neither chess players nor checker players.
So why bother?

It only shows the ignorance of the beholder.


Greetinx from sunny Dortmund, Germany

Ingo Zachos,

chess and checker player

[jaguar72]

Those who made this comparisons are obviously neither chess players nor checker players.
So why bother?

It only shows the ignorance of the beholder.


Greetinx from sunny Dortmund, Germany

Ingo Zachos,

chess and checker player

Why bother?

Because every time the comparison appears in print, both the the game and those who play it take a hit. It's grossly unfair to the game itself and its enthusiasts. It does damage.

And it might be one of the contributing reasons to the sad fact that out of a U.S. population of 300 million, the ACF has only a few hundred members and the Forum has only 231.

That's why.

Return greetings from rainy Dayton OH.

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72
Checkers and Chess player, and d**n glad of it

[Jay H]

HAHAHA!!!!!





Jay H

[Danny_Alvarez]

I agree that it's ignorance.... the good news is that ignorance has a cure

cheers

[Danny_Alvarez]

i heard one of my friend's acquaintances say this and i had to enlighten them about checkers.... he thought that it was impossible for me to beat him 3 times at checkers in a row....
I told him i am only an average player... he lost 10 out of 10 games and he said after we finished "checkers isnt as simple as it looks"

im trying to recruit him as a player now... although he is a chess aficionado

cheers
Danny

[George Hay]

Danny, I'm impressed! In American Pool Checkers terms that was a "hooding," ten straight wins against an opponent! (Five straight wins is a "mugging.") Also, when a player cannot even get a draw against his opponent, it is called a "pecan." Charles "Pecan" Thompson adopted that nickname when he was beat (not even a draw!) in his first match with the legendary Carl "Buster" Smith. --George Hay

[George Hay]

I once worked with a man who reminded me of Fred Reinfeld, author of many chess books, a checkers book,
and many books on other subjects. So one day I ask my co-worker if he plays chess. His response was,
"chess? I'm not even good at checkers!"
I could not make this up! I did not post this to offend anyone,
but rather to post a true story in the spirit of good humor!
--George Hay

[Chexhero]

No matter what side you are on and no matter whether the subject is politics or sport (none of it important to the analogy) this comparison is d**n irritating if you play checkers.

I've seen this same chess/checkers comparison used many times about many subjects, the implication being, of course, that chess is a very difficult, intellectual, analytical, cutting-edge game while checkers is simple, only played by a bunch of simpletons who are incapable, apparently, of any kind of higher thought; the game is played across cracker barrels in dusty general stores...a suitable game for children and no more than that. No talent or planning required.

Good solution to this Jaguar. Find a good location with lots of people, set up a board, play people and beat them good. A good way to promote the game, but also a way to take out some frustration . I did this recently at an event, and I will tell you what, I think almost everyone I played walked away with a new profound respect for the game.