Chinese Chess

Last year a couple of my students taught me how to play Chinese chess. They would come to class a little early so we could play a game before class would start. They liked it a lot because it was something they were really familiar with, I also liked it because they would need to use their English skills to explain the rules to me…we both learned! Since they were elementary and junior high school students, it did not take me long to be able to compete with them and regularly win.

The strategy is comparable to Western chess, but the movements are much different which gives the game some very interesting variations (not really altered from Western chess because it was probably created well before it…). I enjoy the challenge of trying to think through the differences. I think the students did a really good job of teaching me since I have still been improving lately when I find someone interested in playing. Sometimes it is a little challenging to find an opponent because many of my friends prefer to play video and computer games to chess, which is pretty understandable since those games much action. So chess generally ends up being an older generational game. Although one friend, Will, enjoys playing, but always constantly demolishes me…

A while ago I was walking through a park when I noticed some men playing. As I was watching them, I happened to sigh a little too loudly while one of them was making a move, I was a little worried they took it as if I were criticizing their move, but everything turned out fine! They still would not let me play, I am still too much a rookie…but maybe someday soon I will be able to compete in the park tour!