Wrong move

In any sport, sportsmanship is a gesture of humility and peace.

That virtue separates the good from a fool.

Insulting an opponent whom you are defeating right in front of you equates to sadism.

It is a common perception that chess is a simple, non-violent mind sport. I disagree.

Chess can be more than a physical sport – at times even more brutal and painful than the Roman gladiators’ game of death.

It’s because the pain from losing cuts across the mind, body and soul.

The pain gets more painful when rudeness comes into play. It’s like thrusting a spear to an already dying body.

In chess, a handshake for a won game would be enough.

But oh, please, don’t make a wrong move – say a pure blunder of sacrificing a Rook – when you already knew that your opponent’s clock time has flagged down.

Especially when the arena is an international one – let’s say an Asian international chess championship.

That arrogant action over-the-board is uncalled for – a shame. Yes, a wrong move indeed.