Thursday, October 20, 2005

A table, two cups, and long period of silence

This afternoon in the teahouse, i saw two chinese staring on the table for a long time, tea cups by their side. I wonder what are they doing, so asked Raffles. By the way, raffles loves tea, especially chinese tea and the teahouse. The perfect ambience to relax, muse, or stimulation of the brain.

Raffles couldn't reply and comment whimsically that they are musing or in a form of chinese relaxation. He began to follow suit.

Irritated. I walk over towards the gentlemen's table. As i walked closer, i saw some thing standing all over the table. The table is actually at a quiet corner of the 3rd level, so tough for the eyes. Once i got very near, i saw many things standing on the table. They are pieces of a chess game. A old man nearby began introducing me the game of chess.

He said, "The chess board is 8 by 8, with alternate black and white square across every rank and file. White square must be on the right side of the player. Black and white, the color for each set, with white having the advantage to start the game. The set constitutes: one king, one queen, two bishops, two horses, two rooks and eight pawn." Then he continued," The objective of the game is to capture the opponent's king"

After hearing his introduction, i got excited and wanted to try a game of it. I asked if he is interested to have a game with me and, at the same time, teach me the game of chess. He smile and gladly obliged. As soon as he agreed, i called haolian, my assistant, to go get a chess set. He was stopped as soon as the old man heard my instructions(haolian must be thanking him like mad as he has not a slightest clue where to purchase or find one). Old man said,"Go to the counter and borrow one. They provide such a service". I'm like,'wow, i didn't know that'

Haolian quickly walk to the counter, swinging his hands highly left to right and twisting his hips wildly. Old man and i laughed uncontrollably when he saw that. It was funningly strange. Well, a rule in the teahouse is no running. Hence, that act of "running".

Once we had our set, each of us a tea cup by our side, i had the priviledge to start since it was my jungfrau game and made my jungfernfahrt move. After making a few more moves, i was checkmated. I only made TEN moves! Verdammt! I can't believe it. I always think my brain is the most capable organ. Apparently, it's not. This just motivates me to work harder in this department.

Old man grins at seeing me going through the frustration and said,"Young man, you just got introduce to this game and wanted to win. Don't you think that is a bit too fast?" he continued,"Chess is a game of patience. You need to relax your body and exercise the mind. Most importantly, enjoy the process of the game. It is through the process that one learn most and a point where consciousness rules. Consciousness is the heighten/highest senses that makes a person pure."

I nodded and hrmmmmmmmm.

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