By August Zeidman
Benjamin Franklin, the renowned scientist and Founding Father of the United States of America, once said of the sport of chess: “The game of chess is not merely an idle amusement. Several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired or strengthened by it… Life is a kind of chess, in which we have often points to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with.”
Considering this wise observation, and the many other frequent invocations of chess as a metaphor for diplomacy or politics, it is no surprise that many diplomats are incredibly skilled at the Game of Kings. On Saturday, November 19, Diplomat Magazine, with the generous cooperation of the Leonardo Royal Hotel in The Hague opened the opportunity for members of the diplomatic community to not only display their skills, but to play some extremely engaging games with their colleagues. This was the second edition of the Diplomat Magazine Chess Tournament, first organized last autumn, and quickly establishing itself as a popular event!
Not only did the diplomatic crowd show up, but some attendees brought their children, allowing for the organizing of a miniature kids’ tournament for those who showed up and wanted to exercise or expand their burgeoning skills.
Diplomats (and families) from (but not limited to) Belgium, Senegal, Ukraine, Cuba, and the Netherlands showed up for the relaxed atmosphere of logic and mental competition. Everybody offered each other casual games and enjoyed the light attitude, where the emphasis was placed more on everybody exercising and practicing their skills; playing for the enjoyment of the game.
All guests not only enjoyed a multitude of games, but a great number of hot coffee and tea mugs were drunk, as well as a light lunch provided by the Leonardo Hotel; the weather was cold and dreary, and this event provided a fantastic opportunity to not only enjoy the company of colleagues, but to escape the fast-approaching cold with some indoor recreation.
Several trophies were given to the most skilled child and adult players who attended the tournament. With such a success in this second edition, Diplomat Magazine is looking forward to hosting the next edition of this great event next spring and autumn!
