Speak every major language. I would rather learn chess in my own time and fail in my own ways.
Money earnings not considered, which ability would you rather have?
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Jun 4, 2013
0
#3
I never really considered it since I've already accomplished both.
If you'd like to know the secret of how I was able to gain these skills that many people all over the world would kill for, it's easy once you discover how...
Just use Houdini for the best chess player in the world ability and then use translation software for the speak every major language on earth ability.
It's all about being resourceful and leveraging assets you already have.
Conflagration_Planet wrote:
Be the greatest chess player in the world, or be able to speak every major language on earth.
I'd take A) be the greatest chess player in a hot second. Google translate is good enough for muddling through the other languages.
pftt... sign me up for the best chess player! Who would even need those languages anyways? besides, if I was that good at chess, I could probably learn the two or three major languages that I need
I think I'd take the languages.
ChrisWainscott wrote:
Best chess player...
This. At least it would make me feel awesome all the time! 
Neither of those two are extremely appealing to me, but I would definitely choose the greatest chess player. There is, by definition, only one "greatest" chess player in the world. Being able to speak every language, although very rare, is definitely something that a number of people can do.
Chess is a universal language, so A! :)
Jun 5, 2013
0
#11
If u could speak every language on earth u could do some good in the world by working as a translator and helping people to understand one another. If you could play chess better than anyone on earth u can create beautiful games that would be admired by all but have no practical value. And the funny thing is that a really good chess player gets paid a lot more than a really good translator!
ImBack-Muahahaha wrote:
All things considered, honestly, I'd rather rule the world. Seriously, that's my sole purpose in this world. Muahahaha.......
Yes, if that were an option, I'd pick that too.
Great question!
DrFrank124c wrote:
If u could speak every language on earth u could do some good in the world by working as a translator and helping people to understand one another. If you could play chess better than anyone on earth u can create beautiful games that would be admired by all but have no practical value. And the funny thing is that a really good chess player gets paid a lot more than a really good translator!
Definitely not. Live translators for political leaders make a lot of money. On the other hand, I think I've heard that Magnus Carlsen, the highest earning chess player in the world (of course), made about $1 million last year, which is extremely little for a top athlete. So I'm sure that if you averaged the earnings of the top 1% of translators and the top 1% chess players, the translators would make a lot more.
If a genie were to give me this choice, I would go with the languages because I would have the impression to be a fraud if I became the best chess player without training.
If it was a choice of way of life with severe training in both cases to achieve this goal... netiher, I am too lazy 
Goin to bed now. Night.
I want to be a writer... of both novels and songs. I can play chess in my spare time.
That's like asking if you'd rather be the greatest expert on something in the world, or be able to play every major board game. :-) Being best in the world on something (meaningful) should be preferable to being able to speak the major languages.
Jun 5, 2013
0
#19
I already speak the major language on earth, so obviously the chess ability.
Be the greatest chess player in the world, or be able to speak every major language on earth.