Chess players know that a winning position and a huge material advantage are no guarantees of winning the game. Every endgame in chess is crucial. A strong chess player may get the biggest surprise of his life when he loses because he made a terrible game-losing move during the endgame.
I remember my chess coach telling me not to give up even when I face an imminent checkmate. Why? Because my opponent might commit a blunder in his moves during our endgame that may open an opportunity for me to win the game. Whenever I play chess, I always keep in mind the saying “It ain’t over until it is over.”
It is also uncalled for and rude in chess to tell your opponent to resign. Such call is annoying and childish. Quitting is a personal decision. The universally recognized manner of expressing resignation in chess is to tip the King on its side.
Similarly in our present situation, the final index of winning are not poll surveys and huge political rallies. There is still hope for candidates at the bottom of the poll. Remember, the election isn’t over until every vote is counted.
REGINALD B. TAMAYO
Marikina City