Introduction
A. A. Milne comes to the defence of chess, arguing that it is game deserving of as much respect as any of the more physically demanding sports. And yet, there is something about it which means that his enthusiasm rarely lasts more than a month or so.
WHAT chess-player, who in making too eagerly the crowning move, has upset with his elbow the victims of the preliminary skirmishing, so that they roll upon the floor — what chess-player, who has to lean down and pick them up, will not be the better for the strain upon his diaphragm? No; say what you will against chess, but do not mock at it for its lack of exercise.
Yet there is this against it. The courtesies of the game are few. I think that this must be why the passion for it leaves me after a month. When at cricket you are bowled first ball, the wicketkeeper can comfort you by murmuring that the light is bad; when at tennis your opponent forces for the dedans and strikes you heavily under the eye, he can shout, “Sorry!” When at golf you reach a bunker in 4 and take 3 to get out, your partner can endear himself by saying, “Hard luck”.
Précis
Author A. A. Milne claimed that chess differed from other sports not in the degree of physical exercise involved — he drew attention to the need to retrieve fallen pieces — but in etiquette. In other sports, it is usual to commiserate with your opponent’s misfortunes, but in chess this is most unusual. (51 / 60 words)
Author A. A. Milne claimed that chess differed from other sports not in the degree of physical exercise involved — he drew attention to the need to retrieve fallen pieces — but in etiquette. In other sports, it is usual to commiserate with your opponent’s misfortunes, but in chess this is most unusual.
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Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 45 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, because, or, otherwise, since, unless, whereas, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
How does chess keep you physically fit, in Milne’s experience?
Suggestion
By frequently making you retrieve scattered chessmen. (7 words)
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Milne liked playing chess. He would play a lot for a month. Then he would lose interest.