I didn't know Jesus played chess
True Morphy story?
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Mar 18, 2010
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#3
It doesn't say that Jesus played chess. It just offers it up as a metaphor.
Ever think of the Lord as the ultimate chess player? If today you’re staring at the chess board (of your life) and you don’t see the next move – that’s okay. Trust him; trust yourself. Be patient.
So if He can't play chess then I guess that guy in the painting is screwed.
Cool story. I'll keep an eye here, am also intrigued about whether it's true. Seems unlikely no-one else would have seen a way out of the checkmate - it either is checkmate or it isn't, and if it isn't, it's not so hard to see the possible move I suppose. Unless the painting wasn't of checkmate, but was of the moves in the lead up to what seems like an inevitable chechmate...that would be a different story.
it is cool story and seems like it is true from the evidence about the painting gathered. Technically it is not a checkmate but a very close to one. If someone like Paul Morpyh who was the chess prodigy of his time were to play it - it is very likely though it would not be a checkmate 
lot will depend on the agreement of which pieces are what.
regardless, the moral of the story is great, even when it feels like we're in a tricky spot, we've got that one more move that can help us win the game of life!
I just read a note on Facebook that I thought I'd post here.
Also, I'm curious as to whether the story it's based on is true and if you've seen the painting. The writer here says "source unknown" so I'm curious if anyone has heard this tale before.
The game had reached the stage where it was the young man’s move; but he was checkmated. There was no move he could make which would not mean defeat for him and so the strong feature of the picture was the look of utter despair on the young man’s face as he realized that his soul was lost.
Morphy, who knew more about chess than the artist, studied the picture for a time, then called for a chessboard and pieces. Placing them in exactly the same position as they were in the painting, he said, “I’ll take the young man’s place and make the move.” Then he made the move which would have set the young man free. (Source unknown)
Ever think of the Lord as the ultimate chess player? If today you’re staring at the chess board and you don’t see the next move – that’s okay. Trust him; trust yourself. Be patient.
Remember who is helping you. Jesus speaks of the “works that the father has given me to complete,” works which “testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.” We are his incomplete work, made more real and relevant through the checkmate moments of our lives.
Keep this thought in mind: Our Lord has never surrendered to a checkmate yet. That’s pretty good odds! Kathleen M. Sullivan ’82MA ’87PhD