The Christmas party season is in full-swing and Chess Club’s entry into the fray will be this Saturday. Planning on having a hot meal and the regular snacks of popcorn, chips and drinks.

As the year winds down and the prospect of the new year appears on the short horizon, I’ve been pondering a few things. First random thought is that the deaf have no idea of the Chess world. Never heard of Carlsen or Kramnik… Lenares or the U.S. Open… so was thinking of making a short one-page summary magazine next year of the highlights of the week (possibly better as a monthly)… wish there was a real organization with the National Chess Federation here and they had a magazine.

Second, thinking of ways to instill patience through chess… Filipinos are notorious for taking shortcuts in every aspect and that includes over-the-board play. Frustrating to continually see the march of the Knight across the board to attack “across the equator” as Bronstein would say. Moving the Queen out front in the first three moves is also a favorite. And I’ve seen more Fool’s and Scholar’s mates in the past year than some see in a lifetime. But, then again, I’m learning patience as well (smile).

Third (and I’ll end here), is continuing to seek the way of God in Christ for bringing God’s understanding of the value of their lives through Chess. Deaf people are considered worthless in this “power is all” society… considered even lower on the scale than the blind since the blind can hear. These students have extremely limited prospects and their understanding of their value corresponds to that. I’m not talking about a Dewey-esque, practical empiricism where the Deaf are only valuable in relation to what they can provide or do… not at all… I’m interested in their worldview that points to worth as a being made in the Imago Dei, the Image of God. For any prospects they will have in life stem from this worldview. And I’m not talking about self-esteem… that only leads to a worldview apart from God… I’m talking about God giving them a revelation of themselves as important to God in Christ… not some scientific hocus-pocus of being “important” because you are the ancestor of a monkey and “evolved” from some fantastical sticky soup.

Looking back at this year a little, I have seen some changes in their understanding of Reality… their worldview, their weltanschauung… a piece of something they didn’t have 13 months ago. And let me say this… although Chess has been a conduit and a great tool for practicing vital life skills and values, the most important thing that I believe Chess does is provide a forum for relationship. A relationship for sharing the love and excellence of Jesus Christ. It’s in the weekly interaction and talking and society of these young men and women that have made more of a difference for them than the mechanics of the chessboard. Chess gives a chance to become, as I’ve stated before, principled mentors and prudent examples to these valuable friends, that they may come to know Christ, personally and not abstractly.

Merry Christmas to you all and may your heart come to know the King of the Board intimately and eternally.