Sir, – You refer to the recent killing in Castleknock as a "chess murder", and quote, without comment, a "passerby" as saying that chess is "a very intense game" that "brings out the worst in people", as if she was somehow an expert on the subject (Home News, January 13th).
No one knows what triggered this horrific event, but it is certain that it could not have been playing chess. Chess is played by millions of people around the world every day, in a friendly and peaceful way. Anybody who isn’t sure of the simple rules (simpler than, say, golf) can look them up on the internet in two seconds, without the need to lose their temper, let alone kill.
Studies have consistently shown that playing chess has a calming effect, and also teaches patience and enhances self-esteem. It has therefore been used beneficially in many countries, including Ireland, in prisons and young offenders’ institutions as a means of rehabilitation. If more people played chess there would be a lot less violence in the world. – Yours, etc,
PETE MORRISS,
Chairperson,
& UNA O’BOYLE, PRO,
The Irish Chess Union
C/o Oughterard,
Co Galway.