Shachmate!

For centuries, the game of chess has been referred to as the "Royal Game". Associated with Piety, Monarchy and War, it is a challenge of the mind that involves complex strategy, focus and composure. It requires the ability to calculate and plan with vast knowledge of the game. Many chess enthusiasts and professional players believe that chess is a way of life, specifically because of the dedication required to master the game.

The game consists of a board with 64 squares and 16 pieces. Each side faces the other across the board, and the game is war between two opponents. The objective is to capture your opponent's king (the major piece), and when this is accomplished, it is called checkmate. The king and the queen are the strongest pieces along with two rooks. The two knights and bishops are part of the monarchy as well and are both called minor pieces. There are eight peasants or "pawns" which are also considered minor pieces. These pieces are initially the weakest force on the board, but each have a special privilege in the game. If they cross the entire board and meet the last rank in the opponent's side, they can be promoted to a queen or any piece of choice. Chess has gained popularity across the world throughout time and is played at a professional level internationally. Players are rated based on an algorithm that considers the number of games won. Ratings start below 1000, for Beginners, and are at 1500 for intermediate players. Advanced players are at the 1700 level, and Experts are at the 2000 level, which from there on lead to Master and then Grandmaster. Our current world champion “Magnus Carlsen” is rated at 2872! Games are given a time control when played at the Club level or internationally.

I have been an avid chess player for the last 20 years. I learned the game from my mother as a child and developed a strong interest in the game when I was 30-years-old. My mother taught me how to play chess at the kitchen table as she prepared dinner for my father who worked into the evening. I began to understand the game's complexity later in life when I took it to the tournament level. Throughout my chess career, I have studied many books on chess authored by some of the most reputable Grandmasters. Most of these books were based on opening strategies from various parts of the world. The opening is the first combination of moves, when the game begins. Some of the common opening strategies I took interest in were the Dutch, Sicilian, French and King's Indian Defense. Each opening leads to a specific position on the board after a series of moves, and from this position, one reaches the “Middle Game”, where planning and strategy then begins.

Most of my tournaments were played at a club that was then called “LIICL” in Huntington, N.Y., and I also played several games under the United States Chess Federation. I found strong competitions unexpectedly on a casual basis here. Some of the greatest chess venues still exist in New York. On the street in a municipal locality or park, chess players from all over the world can be seen battling across the board playing strict time controls that limit the game to 5 minutes or less. Moves must be practically instinctive when played at this speed. Here, I met one of the strongest players I have had the privilege of knowing.

Julian is an 89-year-old Russian immigrant who migrated to Europe at a young age. He travelled the globe and eventually settled in the United States, where he made a career in engineering. Julian spent his life raising a family and was successful throughout his career. He began to enjoy his retirement in Long Island, N.Y., where he resides with his wife in an upper-class neighborhood. Julian was a member of the LIICL when I met him. The club would meet every Friday night for tournaments and consisted of over 50 attendees. Players from intermediate to master strength would meet for games, most of which also played at USCF rated tournaments as well. Unlike many high rated chess players, Julian had a very pleasant personality, especially around younger players and spectators who may have even been accompanied by a parent. He seemed to always have a unique sense of self control paired with humble mannerisms and seldom lost any games. Julian was the type of player who preferred taking the game to higher levels. He always chose to play openings such as the King’s Indian Defense, which would lead to complicated positions that involved a lot of calculation and knowledge of the position. He was also a Master tactician who could find unique combinations of moves that would crush his opponent.

Julian's games were not only informative to observe and learn from but were often very entertaining. When matched to an opponent of equal strength, Julian did sometimes lose a game. Unlike most players, he would lose gracefully and end the battle with a handshake. Often, he would invite his opponent for a private session separate from the tournament hall where they could analyze the moves and positions of the game. Julian would learn from each loss, and for each rematch, he would have a solution worked out. As good as he was, he was still improving, and his victorious opponents all feared a rematch for this reason.

Our games at the club eventually turned into a friendship. We would make time in the off season to meet at the local cafés and libraries to play chess. I am an 1800 rated player, but Julian would beat me consistently. Julian would exclaim, "Shachmate!" after each of my losses, or the Russian word for "Checkmate". Occasionally I would win one of two games, but this would always be out of about 10 games played. Age was no boundary for Julian, and his shaky hands seemed to never make a difference during our timed five-minute games. He could complete the first 10 moves of his favorite opening within 15 seconds.

With five-minute games or less, or Blitz chess, each player must toggle the clock control at the end of each move. Each player has five minutes to play for a checkmate and capture the opponent’s king, or they flag their time, which is equivalent to a loss. Julian was exceptional at managing his time control. I asked him how he got so good at Blitz, and he told me that “the clock is also a piece”, and that you foremost must respect it. With the time limit in mind, the player is forced to make calculated moves on the board so that when pieces converge, the game can play itself. Julian demonstrated this principal by beating me for the rest of the evening.

Brilliance in playing chess was not the only thing I admired about Julian. He always showed interest in my career and family life. As a family man himself and a grandfather, he would often volunteer advice. Julian was very knowledgeable in foreign policy, politics and religion. He had a passion for culture and enjoyed foods from many cultures. As a Jewish man of Sephardic origin, he observed the Jewish holidays and practices. Although Julian was quite universal during the Holiday season, he was the first to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. These aspects of his personality always showcased that he was a genuine and good person.

Julian would dress casual and simple. He drove an economical four-cylinder vehicle and wore loafers on every occasion, claiming that they were his most comfortable walking shoes. He once showed up for games at a local library after cutting his lawn. He was in shorts, a T-shirt and the same comfortable shoes. Julian was not one to impress with his appearance, and instead impressed with his mind. When I think about Julian, the phrase “do not judge a book by its cover” comes to mind, because he was the old book on the lower end of the shelf at the library with a tarnished hard cover. When opened and read, it was interesting, informative, nourishing and satisfying.

I believe that we are all created for a purpose, and that some of us fulfill that purpose with the example that we set for others. At 89, Julian’s example has taught me the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness may only be present during a given situation, but joy abides. One has the wonderful gift of intelligence to make decisions and the ability to learn, and this does not deteriorate with time. Like chess, it is a way of life. Julian would demonstrate on the board that one bad decision or incorrect move would weaken your position, and in the end, cost you the game. I consider each loss a lesson to remember. Life, however, is the one course that we cannot retake, and we must maintain our awareness and be open minded. With good decisions, we can have a positive influence on ourselves and others, regardless of time control. Julian consistently demonstrated that calculation is a precious ability in the game and in life in general as well.

Frank A. Frohreich III

works as a Fleet Supervisor for Verizon and considers family to be his priority. In the past, he worked in the automotive industry as a technician and automotive instructor. He served for BOCES as a computer skills instructor for seniors. At 52, Frank is a husband and father of three, residing in Long Island, N.Y.'s north shore. He is an avid Chess player with previous tournament experience. Frank is interested in art, music, fishing, hunting and boating. With an appreciation for culture, he is fluent in English and Spanish. Frank enjoys travelling with his wife and is active in the Catholic community.