My most recent 'special interest" is chess. Similar to many who watched the Netflix miniseries "The Queen’s Gambit,"[1.] I was instantly hooked and haven't looked back since. My dedication to the game has been unwavering - all my spare time is dedicated to learning and mastering chess openings, middle game tactics, and endgame strategy. I devote hours every day to reading books and watching instructional videos on YouTube, where I've found valuable resources from content-creators such as Daniel Naroditski, Alex Banzea, Eric Rosen, and Anna Cramling. So, what is the connection to autism and why do I feel so anxious playing games? Let's examine the subject step-by-step.
History of Chess
Chess has a rich and complex history, dating back over a thousand years[2.]. The game is believed to have originated in India around the 6th century AD, where it was known as "Chaturanga." Chaturanga was a strategic board game that represented four divisions of the Indian military: infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots. These divisions are the precursors to the modern chess pieces: pawns, knights, bishops, and rooks.
From India, Chaturanga spread to Persia, where it evolved into "Shatranj." In Persia, the game’s rules were refined, and it became a popular pastime among the nobility. The word "checkmate" is derived from the Persian phrase "Shah Mat," meaning "the king is helpless."
The game then spread to the Islamic world after the Arab conquest of Persia in the 7th century. Shatranj became widely popular in the Islamic Empire, where further refinements were made to the game. It eventually reached Europe through Spain and Italy during the Moorish invasion and through the Byzantine Empire.
By the late 15th century, chess had transformed into a game closely resembling the modern version. This period saw significant changes to the rules, most notably the increased power of the queen and the introduction of the two-square pawn move. These changes were finalised in Spain and Italy, and the game spread rapidly throughout Europe. The modern chessboard with alternating light and dark squares also became standardised during this period.
The 19th century marked the beginning of competitive chess as we know it today. The first modern chess tournament was held in London in 1851, won by German chess master Adolf Anderssen. This period also saw the development of chess theory, with players like Wilhelm Steinitz, who is considered the first World Chess Champion, and Paul Morphy, who was renowned for his brilliant attacking style - I'll come back to him later to feature one of my favourite checkmate patterns.
The 20th century was dominated by the rise of Soviet chess, beginning in the 1920s. The Soviet Union invested heavily in chess, producing many of the world’s top players, including Mikhail Botvinnik, Anatoly Karpov, and Garry Kasparov. The Cold War era saw iconic chess matches, most notably the 1972 World Chess Championship between American Bobby Fischer and Soviet Boris Spassky, which was seen as a symbolic confrontation between the US and the USSR.
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, chess entered the digital age. The rise of computer chess programs, such as IBM’s Deep Blue, which famously defeated Garry Kasparov in 1997, revolutionised the game. Online chess platforms have since made the game more accessible to players around the world, leading to a surge in popularity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A brief mention to Magnus Carlsen, a Norwegian chess grandmaster and multiple World Champion, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history. Unlike all other players Carlsen excels in all phases of the game, particularly in the endgame. He holds the record for the highest Elo rating ever achieved (2882) and has been the world's top-ranked player since 2011.
Today, chess is played and loved by millions globally, with a vibrant community ranging from casual players to grandmasters, and its rich history continues to evolve.
What's the link with Autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, genetic in origin, that is characterised by deficits in social communication and interaction with restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities. Further behaviours can emerge such hyper (over) or hypo (under) sensitivity to external stimuli such as noise, light and physical contact; difficulty maintaining eye contact; hyper systemisation and the need for structure and routine.
As we explored in the Article: Autism and Youth Football: A fan and player's review. Two main autistic traits lends themselves to learning and playing chess: Rigidity to Routine and Special Interests. Let's explore these first then look at some of the other aligned traits.
Autistic individuals often derive comfort and security from following established routines, as they provide a sense of stability and control in their lives. While this term may carry negative connotations, establishing such a baseline can actually serve as a foundation, enabling an autistic person to build a structured framework in their life, allowing their more creative and positive aspects to shine through.
Rigidity to Routine
Predictability: Chess is a game of set rules and predictable outcomes, which aligns well with the preference many autistic people have for structure and routine. The lack of randomness in the game provides a controlled environment where the player can focus without unexpected changes.
Clear Objectives: The game's goal—checkmating the opponent’s king—is straightforward, which can be appealing to those who prefer clear, unambiguous tasks.
Analytical Nature: Chess is a game of logic, strategy, and careful planning, appealing to the analytical thinking style often associated with autism. The need to think several moves ahead and consider various possible outcomes can align well with the cognitive strengths of many autistic individuals.
Rule-Based Thinking: The game’s reliance on a set of rules can resonate with those who prefer logical, rule-based thinking. This can make the game both engaging and accessible.
Special Interests
Single Focus: Many autistic individuals exhibit intense focus on specific interests, a trait known as monotropism[4.]. Chess, with its complex strategies and endless possibilities for study, can captivate this type of deep focus, allowing players to delve into the game’s intricacies.
Pattern Recognition: Chess is heavily based on recognising patterns and predicting outcomes, skills that some autistic people naturally excel at. The ability to remember and apply these patterns can make chess a particularly rewarding game.
Minimal Social Interaction
Reduced Social Pressure: Chess does not require extensive verbal communication or interpretation of social cues, which can be challenging for some autistic individuals. The focus is on the game, reducing the need for potentially stressful social interactions.
One-on-One Interaction: When social interaction is required, it is often one-on-one and directly related to the game, which can be more manageable and less overwhelming than group activities.
In summary, the combination of structure, predictability, deep focus, and logical thinking makes chess an ideal activity for many autistic individuals. It offers a way to engage in a challenging, intellectually stimulating activity while minimising the social pressures and unpredictability that can be challenging in other areas of life.
What are the benefits?
Firstly, excelling at chess can significantly enhance confidence. For those who may find other social or physical activities challenging, achieving milestones in chess—such as improving ratings or winning matches—provides a profound sense of accomplishment. This measurable progress can help build self-esteem and offer a rewarding experience.
In addition, chess can serve as a valuable form of stress relief for some autistic individuals. It provides a mental escape and an opportunity to channel energy into a structured, absorbing activity. The game's focus and complexity can help manage stress and foster a sense of calm.
Moreover, chess is widely accessible, both online and offline, making it an inclusive activity for autistic individuals. Players can engage with the game at their own pace and in a setting that suits them best. Online platforms, in particular, offer the advantage of anonymity, which can reduce anxiety related to social judgment and make the game more inviting.
So why so anxious?
With my hyper focus, I quickly ascended to the level of a club player. However, I soon encountered a formidable obstacle—not in terms of rating, but in the form of extreme anxiety.
I found myself unable to muster the courage to continue playing, and I felt lost as to how to overcome it.
Despite seeking advice online and trying various strategies like playing unrated games or creating a second "it doesn’t matter if I lose" account, nothing seemed to alleviate the anxiety. The close discourse I found is on Chess Stack Exchange "Psychology: Hard Anxiety Playing Chess"[6.].Even writing about chess games in this article brings back anxious memories; my mouth would dry, hands would shake uncontrollably, and I'd feel overwhelmed.
It's puzzling to me, given what I've achieved in my career and involvement running a football club. I've presented to large audiences and coached cup finals without experiencing the same level of anxiety as when playing against an anonymous chess player, where the outcome holds little significance. However, I can see clear links to autism in my need for perfectionism and high expectations of myself to play flawlessly, given the time I've invested in the game. Mistakes or losses are particularly distressing, leading to heightened anxiety during games.
I believe a significant part of my unfiltered autistic brain is being exposed to emotional overload, resulting in a confused emotional state due to interoceptive interference. As a form of self-care, I've decided to step away from the online competitive environment and focus on enjoying chess over-the-board with friends and against computer bots.
Conclusion
Chess has become a central part of my life, captivating me with its strategic depth and intellectual challenges. My journey with the game, deeply intertwined with my autistic traits, has been both rewarding and revealing. The structured nature of chess with its clear objectives, and the ability to immerse myself fully in a special interest have brought immense satisfaction and personal growth.
However, the unexpected anxiety I've encountered has also highlighted the complexities of navigating competitive environments, particularly when perfectionism and high expectations come into play. I wish I could offer assistance to those in a similar situation, but as it is with life sometimes there is not always an immediate answer. I will continue to re-evaluate playing competitive chess against others whether online or in person; perhaps someday I will overcome my anxiety - for the time
being I will be content to play "Antonio-Bot" on chess.com.
Despite the challenges, my passion for chess remains strong. Stepping away from online competition and focusing on over-the-board games has allowed me to rediscover the joy of the game without the overwhelming pressure. Chess will continue to be a meaningful and enriching part of my life, providing not only a source of intellectual stimulation but also a valuable tool for understanding and managing the intricacies of my autistic experience.
Bonus Extra - Chess Openings
Among the aspects of chess that I enjoy most are the rich variety of openings, each with its own unique name and characteristics as attested in Nath Rose's amazing book: "Chess Opening Names: The Fascinating & Entertaining History Behind The First Few Moves". From the Sicilian Defense to the Ruy Lopez, Caro-Kann, Queen's Gambit, King's Indian, Grünfeld Defense, and Scotch Game, the list is extensive.
What's more, each opening boasts numerous variations that offer endless opportunities for exploration and mastery. For instance, in the Sicilian Defence alone, I've studied variations for instance the Rossolimo, Hungarian, Westerinen, O’Kelly, Accelerated Dragon, and the ever-popular Najdorf, known for its sharp and complex positions that offer rich tactical possibilities for both players.
My favourite chess mating pattern: The Smothered Mate. The game features the legendary chess prodigy Paul Morphy at the Parisien Café de la Régence in 1859 against Frank Schrufer. See if you can work out White's next moves, basically involving a Queen sacrifice and a very rare checkmate.
Solution (click to expand)
References
https://www.chess.com/blog/CHESScom/chess-is-booming-and-our-servers-are-struggling
By Alphonse le Sage (Alfonso X) - "Livre des Echecs" (Libro de Ajedrez, dados y tables), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2664091
By Stefan64 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147318999
Dinah Murray, Mike Lesser, and Wendy Lawson. Attention, monotropism and the diagnostic criteria for autism. Autism 2005 9:2, 139-156.
https://chess.stackexchange.com/questions/35505/hard-anxiety-playing-chess
Nathan Rose. Chess Opening Names: The Fascinating & Entertaining History Behind The First Few Moves. Stonepine Publishing. 2017.
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