SPORTS September 12, 2005 Issue

THE ULTIMATE GAME OF PATIENCE

ERIC NAGER

IMAGINE AN ENORMOUS WAREHOUSE filled with row upon row of tables with chess sets and 5,000 scholastic competitors facing off in a three-day competition. This was the scene earlier this year at a hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, site of the Super Nationals III Chess Tournament, the largest such tournament ever held, sponsored by the US Chess Federation.

As a coach participating in his first national tournament, I wanted to prepare myself beforehand to help my players as much as possible. In addition to such logistical preparation as making sure we had transportation and a place to stay, I wanted to prepare myself spiritually through prayer.

At such times, I like to begin by acknowledging God as completely in control of every aspect of my life and of the lives of those around me. Gradually I see that we all live in His universe, which He maintains harmoniously, always. Knowing this relieves me of a false sense of responsibility for watching out for more than a dozen teenage players.

About the author

In addition to his job as an investment advisor representative, Eric Nager is the chess coach at Bayside Academy, a school with about 600 students in grades K-12, in Daphne, Alabama.

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