The Morals of Chess

The morality of chess (English: The morals of chess ) is a frequently reprinted schachlich - philosophical essay by Benjamin Franklin, whose earliest proven source The Columbian Magazine, December 1786 is. The paper presents a comparison between the moral action of man and the "rules" of a chess game. The fact recommended by Franklin "rules" are intended to form a kind of code of human behavior and human relations.

Some of these rules are:

• " If you have decided to play according to strict rules, so both partners must adhere strictly to these rules, without one follows the rules, but the others ignored, because that would be unfair. "

• " If you have decided to follow any strict rules, and asks one of the players indulgence, he must be willing to grant them also the partner. "

• " You must never make false moves to deal with a difficult situation or to obtain benefits. It is no fun to play with a person one has caught at such ugly act. "

• " Never touch an advantage by the forelock, the offers from the inability or inattention of the opponent, but you politely say to him, ' This train you bring your own character in danger or make them defenseless ', or, by this train bring the king in a dangerous position ', etc. in such a magnanimous politeness ( which contradicts the unsightly actions mentioned above ), it is of course possible that you lose; but you gain something much better:. respecting the partner, his respect, his love and at the same time, the tacit approval and well- mindedness of the impartial spectator "

The World Chess Federation FIDE has set independently of Franklin's essay in the 20th century in its official rules, among other things, that player must not be disturbed and may even fall back proposals by other persons during a game neither aids. It is forbidden by the FIDE Laws of Chess, trains take back, even with the consent of both players, if the trains were regularly referred to.