CHESS OR EDUCATION, ALL TIME GREAT DECISION

It's a big issue when it comes to deciding whether chess is your profession or is education more useful? I am not against schooling. It has worked for billions of individuals all over the world. And I accept it is one of  the best thing on earth. The question though is that there are some folks out there who are gifted in chess but were not quite convinced about the choice they take. They ask themselves again and again about the decision they want to take. Sometimes even going to the extent of asking advice from total strangers. You people need guts dude. While some were so fortunate to be gifted that they took it for granted and explored something else but failed miserably. Laws of universe.

Let me cite an example of Paul Morphy, an American genius who was considered the greatest chess player of his time. His chess career was short lived. Education had something to do with it. No, I don't think so because he came from a wealthy family, financially secured, playing chess wouldn't make a difference to his living provided he is willing to sacrifice for chess. Chess at that time was just a hobby. Let's say it's very difficult to make a living by playing chess alone. Paul wasn't an exception. I understand. He needed a steady profession to support himself and his family. We had heard of his girlfriend saying, "I can't marry a mere chess player." That might have had a huge blow on young Morphy. He gave up chess to contemplate on law studies. His father was a lawyer. Never heard of him again for many years except a sad news bulletin afterwards that he was but crazy. People blamed him for chess but the truth is, without chess what else, he was idle. People called him, " The pride and sorrow of chess." In chess he was simply brilliant, therefore the pride. But he left chess after a short career without thought for his admirers and fans, therefore the sorrow. What if Paul Morphy sacrificed his girlfriend or his law studies and said chess is my passion. He had no balls or if he had two, his vision weren't so far sighted. Enough of Morphy.

How can I escape Garry Kasparov? He was considered one of the greatest chess player in the history of the game. There would be no debate if Regina didn't give birth to an American genius named Bobby Fischer. Knowingly or not knowingly, Kasparov also gave up chess for something else, I believe it's Russian politics if my readings last night around 12:45 am was correct. But we saw him in big trouble in "Pussy Riot". What have these dudes in common? They were extremely successful in chess but tried their hands in something else. The end result, not impressive. Or at least  it seemed to me.

The point is simply to make people in doubt clear their thoughts that chess is a good thing. Life is not about doing a lot of things. It's living the life that is given to you. It's an insult to the creator if a person refused to appreciate the talent that he has been given. If chess is your life, come heaven or hell, play it.