4 Move Checkmate

One of Bridges' after school programs is the Chess Club. Yesterday they met and the students were having a good time playing each other. There was also a new student in the midst, as I had invited him to join the club. I was told that he was a state champion back in middle school, but hadn't played since that time. He decided to come and see what was going on. I encouraged him to play with the other students. 

The second game that the new club student played lasted less than five minutes. His opponent was so shocked, he was still sitting and looking at the board after the game had ended. The former state champion had beat him in 4 moves! "Wait, what happened?" " How did you do that?" Were questions asked by the losing student. Later on the same student says to me and the others, "I would have beat him, if he didn't know that 4 move play."

The losing student may have had a chance, if he hadn't underestimated the new comer. The game may have lasted more than 5 minutes, if he had taken the time to look at the entire picture and not only what he planned on doing. How often do we enter situations and not look at the entire picture? We think we know what the outcome will be, and instead of taking our time and evaluating the entire situation, we jump in head first and end up with our feelings hurt. 

As we go through each day, we must remember there are others waiting to put us in checkmate. Waiting for us to put our guards down and slip up, in order for them to win. Remain vigilant. As you sit at the chess board of life, look at all the moves that are made. Remember that a 4 move checkmate is only possible, when the opponent isn't paying attention.