Sportsmanship: Win, Lose, or Draw

Concentration and silence continue to be essential for the practice of this activity and of course it shares the values ​​of sportsmanship championed by Kirolean Errespetuz, the initiative promoted by EL DIARIO VASCO with the collaboration of the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council and the San Sebastián City Council. Gros Xake Taldea is the most established club that promotes chess in the capital of Gipuzkoa.

Currently, 900 boys and girls practice this sport through extracurricular activities organized by the San Sebastian entity itself in different schools in the city. In addition, 120 students go directly to its Carmelo Balda facilities to learn to understand the board. To which we must add the number of federated players and veterans who are also affiliated with the club. The activity is constant during the week.

“Chess is not a typical physical or contact sport and among its advantages is that it is accessible to everyone,” says Iñigo Argandoña, International Master, who also coordinates the Gros Xake Taldea school. The age or condition of the players does not matter.

Of course, he also considers that “it can generate a lot of wear and tear at a high competition level, with games that last up to five or six hours,” although he highlights that for children “it is more of a fun, a game.” In addition, he appreciates that it is a sport that does not have a male category and boys can play with girls without distinction of gender.

Nor is age a discriminatory criterion. “There is no problem in a 12-year-old child playing against a 50-year-old man. There is respect and there is a healthy coexistence, because after the game mistakes are discussed and, normally, if the older one wins he teaches the younger one what he should improve on.”

He believes that from the age of 6 or 7, boys and girls can start playing this game. “When they know how to read and write well, they can begin to understand it, and mathematical calculations also come into play.”

Argandoña highlights the great respect that reigns among the most txikis when their games start. «They shake hands before starting and when they finish, whether they win, lose or draw. Always with education.

The behavior is usually impeccable when the pieces begin to move. «The silence is absolute. “Everyone remains seated, focused on the game without making comments or anything.”

He recognizes that “after the pandemic, chess has become a little more popular and people are realizing that it is a very normal activity.” For Argandoña, it is a game “that helps you a lot when making decisions.”

Furthermore, he points out that “there are people who have been helped by playing chess. For example, it has helped students with attention deficit to focus, be more relaxed and improve other disciplines.

He also appreciates that “you can spend as much time as you want, from ten minutes a week, to an hour, two, three… whatever you need. Plus, it allows you to play at any time. You can train individually, playing online. “Chess has numerous game modes and many ways to practice it, making it very compatible with other sports.”

Zubiemdi Master

In fact, he observes that “our strongest players are also those who have excelled in other sports disciplines. That also goes into character. “Whoever is competitive is good at any sport.”

As an example, he highlights that Martin Zubimendi, a former Real player and now in the ranks of Arsenal, was proclaimed Gipuzkoa junior chess champion at the age of 12. «He was my student for many years. He was a very dedicated student in his studies, respectful and disciplined, very serious about everything. And he was very good at chess, as well as football.