Why Lawyers Should Never Play Chess

Paul Morphy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Chess, the Game of Kings. I was obsessed with it as a youth. However, unlike one of my heroes, perhaps the greatest chess player of all time, Paul Morphy, I found enough interest in the law that I made it my career instead. It is speculated that Paul Morphy was so obsessed with the game that he drove himself insane playing blindfolded exhibition chess. Chess can be all consuming, and, while I still dabble with computer versions of the game, I am careful not to become too engrossed. You really can lose track of all else while playing the game. Morphy should have stuck with practicing law. Of course, if he had, we wouldn't have some of the most elegant games in history to replay. And, as any practicing lawyer will tell you, litigation is like chess anyway. You must plan a strategy, counter opponents' moves, and never lose focus from your goal...to kill the King.

Comments

[bob b]

Nice piece Rick. Spring Hill College actually placed a monument with a likeness of Morphy and short bio on the campus grounds near the student center. Back in my day at the "Hill", we'd occasionally sit nearby under the oaks and play chess, backgammon, etc, under the watchful eye of Morphy's granite stare. He didn't impart any wisdom or tips my way however and thus I probably lost more than won (drinking age was 18 in Alabama then and we'd play for beer money - quarter drafts at nearby watering holes). Great times . . . I'd like a do over of my college years and maybe this time around Morphy will channel through me. Cheers !