Recently I saw this video of current chess world champion Magnus Carlsen, playing against Judit Polgar.
Now, you might remember Judit. She grew up as one of the Polgar sisters. Their father being a psychologist, he experimented to push his daughters to become chess grandmasters, through a regime of constant practice and many high level teachers. Stating the obvious, it paid off. Judit became one of the world’s best players.
That day playing against Magnus, near a park somewhere in Madrid, she managed to pull off a win! The main reason you should be impressed, is not her sex – it’s not the fifties anymore, it’s her age. Nobody likes to admit it, but as chess players age, they tend to get worse. So, well done, Judit!
Naturally these type of articles tend to use titles such as, “Polgar Beats Magnus In Nineteen Moves!”. And sure, she did beat him in nineteen moves, but it’s really making a mountain out of a molehill. This was a match between friends, on hot summer’s day in Madrid. Magnus blundered, realized his mistake and soon gave up. Upon Polgar offering a rematch, Magnus replied with a smile, “Leave it. It makes for a better story.”
I’ve noticed this type of thing happening a couple of times. Magnus decides to play against someone and, guess what, perhaps he doesn’t take it as seriously as he should’ve, or he didn’t quite pay enough attention. The media picks up the story the next day and hyperbole sets in: “Magnus Humiliated By Nine Year Old!”
Fortunately, Magnus doesn’t seem to mind much. While previous grandmasters seemed careful to avoid a loss – and thereby risk tarnishing their reputation, Magnus just likes playing chess and doesn’t adhere to others’ expectations . I think that ought to be an important lesson in and of itself. Don’t be a slave to either your own or others’ expectations. Food for thought.
Yours truly
Vincent J. Dancet