The Pawn
Larger life learnings from a smaller piece from Chess
There are life lessons to be taken from the game of chess. Just like chess, in life, to conquer each goal, there is a strategy and you move accordingly as a part of that strategy. Most importantly, each move you make has its consequences. You might win or lose that round. You might have to lose the smaller battles at times to win the larger war. Whatever it is, each move brings you closer to conquering the challenge.
There are also pieces in the chess game. I love the Knights. They are strongest when they occupy the center positions and cheeky enough to get over any obstacles. Similarly, the Rooks, the Bishops, and the Queen are powerful in their ways. But there is one other piece. A meeple that is subtle, tiny, and no elaborate carvings — The Pawn.
What do you think of the Pawn? It takes only one or two steps forward at the start. It is easy to trap a pawn rendering it useless. It does not have any significant capabilities like the other pieces. But is that all? Not quite. Pawns are the only chess piece that cannot take a step back. Despite being the meekest of all pieces, it takes a step forward unabashed by what lies ahead.
Isn’t that symbolic of the life choices we make? Can we learn a few things by observing the pawn?
Three years ago, I could not have imagined speaking in front of an audience. The dread was crippling. I had known deep down that I had to change this as there was no escaping it. Thus began the challenge — The Game. The pieces were in place. The goal was never to become a great speaker but it was to checkmate fear. I made the first move when I found Qonverse, a Toastmasters club. The pawn had made its move.
I think it was my third meeting with Qonverse when my hand went up when the Table Topic Master asked for a volunteer to speak on a topic on the spot. It was as if my hand had a mind of its own. I swear I have no memory of what the topic was or what I spoke. All I remember was I felt good about taking that initiative. I count that as my second step towards my goal.
There were several steps ahead since then. I was giving speeches at regular intervals. I was also actively taking up roles in the club meetings. I even took up Executive committee positions at the club. Each step brought me closer to conquering the fear of stage. The pawn was facing bigger obstacles and took them head-on.
It was not always sunshine and rainbows. I let my guard down and fear found its way back. I hit a slump and did not want to go onto the stage. I had created a block in my head. What would a pawn do when it’s blocked?
That’s why you have other pieces. I waited but did not take a step back. My mentor and other fellow Toastmasters were all just a conversation away. I got help from the people of Qonverse. As my mentor believes that a setback is a setup for a comeback, I walked up to the stage again. Wiser from my previous successes and setbacks, I was warmed up to the stage. Another step forward.
Today, I am somewhat of a “senior” Toastmaster at Qonverse. While that does make me feel old, it also provides me with an opportunity. An opportunity to give back. At each step of my journey, people had my back and still do. There were invaluable learnings from them that I carry in my path ahead. Even as I pen down these articles, I receive kind words of motivation and feedback, and that keeps me going forward, one step at a time.
If my success can inspire someone, if I can lend a helping hand to someone, or if my failures become a sign of warning on the path, I would consider it as my token of thanks to the club that molded me to be who I am today.
Pawns take a step forward to fight. They take a step forward to strengthen their position. They take a step forward to protect other pieces. They take a final step to become something else. When a pawn reaches its last step in a chessboard, it can be replaced by a Knight, Bishop, Rook, or even the Queen! Empowered, it then moves to help other pieces and maybe even win the game.
That is, by far, the biggest learning from a pawn for me.
If you take enough steps towards your goal, however small they might be, whilst conquering the obstacles and helping those around you, you will reach a point where you can be anything you want to be.
With that thought, I take leave of you for now. Until next time.
Let this be a beginning, rather than the end.
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