Benjamin Franklin and Chess
How America’s Founding Father Played the Ultimate Game of Strategy.
Not only did he help shape the United States, but he also spent countless hours playing the ultimate game of strategy—chess.
Discover how Franklin’s love for chess taught him valuable life lessons and helped him connect with people worldwide.
Chess and Life Lessons from Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin believed that playing chess could teach important life lessons.
He wrote an article called “The Morals of Chess,” where he explained how chess helps people learn
to be patient, think ahead, and be respectful to others. Franklin thought that just like in chess, in life,
it’s important to think about the consequences of your actions before you make a move.
How Benjamin Franklin Used Chess to Connect with People
For Benjamin Franklin, chess was also a way to make friends and connect with people. He played chess with all kinds of people—rich and poor, young and old. He even played chess with some of the most important people in the world at the time, like kings and ambassadors! But no matter who he played with, Franklin always believed that chess was a game of respect and good sportsmanship.
