tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post6185785040667853496..comments2023-12-28T02:11:22.501+00:00Comments on The Streatham & Brixton Chess Blog: Letter to the editor IVTom Chivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09850710685193416732noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post-54290534292847951582015-12-10T10:34:38.658+00:002015-12-10T10:34:38.658+00:00In Judaism, there were three general issues with p...In Judaism, there were three general issues with playing chess: (1) chess being a waste of time that should be used for useful pursuits, in particular studying the Torah. (2) chess can be used for gambling. (3) In particular, on the Shabbath (from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday) certain actions -- separating chess pieces into black and white armies, and in more modern times pressing a chess clock, driving to a tournament, handling prize or registration money -- are ritually considered "work" or "business" and therefore forbidden on that day. <br /><br />Still, chess had a reputation for a game "full of wisdom", to quote the rabbinical language of the time, so it was given more leeway than most other games. For example, in Amsterdam (IIRC) when all games were banned for a decade as a sign of mourning over a large fire, this applied to all games *except* chess. On the whole, if frowned upon, chess (at least, when played on weekdays and not for money) was allowed. While some rabbis forbade it, I do not think it was ever generally banned. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com