You can't lose

#232

My Dear Friend of Democracy,

Above, the current chess game against one of my best friends. It’s his (black) turn, and I might lose, but I also see a chance for a draw (What do you think?).

We have been playing correspondence chess for years; he lives in Washington, D.C., I live in Berlin.

I love these matches.

For two reasons.

First, I stay in touch with someone important to me. Nothing is more valuable to people than other people. We should always remember that.

Second, chess, like many other games, tells us how social coexistence can work well. We play out rivalries within a framework that is binding for everyone. There are winners and losers. But losing is not dramatic. Our lives do not get worse when we fail. We get a new chance. Losing is even helpful because it gives us the chance to learn from our mistakes.

✊ Chess is like a well-functioning democracy: everyone plays by the same rules, and whoever loses doesn't fall into the abyss.

By the way, I've lost many times against my friend. Yet I've always won. Because in the end, it is not about winning or losing but about togetherness.

See you in Europe,

Johannes