The Peaceful Game

By Nathan J. Goldberg

I like to think chess is a courteous game,

I play it with family and friends,

I like to think chess is a peaceful game

Nobody gets hurt when it ends.

I never distract my opponent,

I don't want to act like a pest,

I hope they behave in the very same way,

So both of us play at our best.

I know chess is not really gentle,

It's more like a war or a fight,

I always shake hands at the start and the end,

So both of us play at our best.

On the board we're enemies,

Off the board we're friends,

On the board there is never peace,

But that is just pretend.

On the board we're enemies,

Off the board we're friends,

On the board there is never peace,

But off the board I hope for peace that never, never ends.

I like to think chess is a courteous game,

I play it with family and friends,

I like to think chess is a peaceful game

Nobody gets hurt when it ends.

Critical Summary of The Peaceful Game

The poem The Peaceful Game by Nathan J. Goldberg explores the dual nature of chess, portraying it as both a battle of minds and a symbol of sportsmanship and friendship. The poet emphasizes the courteous and peaceful aspects of the game, highlighting its ability to foster respect and discipline among players. Unlike other competitive sports that may involve physical aggression, chess remains a game of intellect, strategy, and patience.

The poem contrasts the in-game rivalry with the camaraderie shared between opponents outside the game. On the chessboard, players are "enemies," locked in a battle of wits, yet this animosity is only temporary. Once the game ends, they return to being friends, reinforcing the idea that sports should not breed hostility but rather encourage mutual respect. The act of shaking hands at the beginning and end of the game serves as a symbol of good sportsmanship.

The poet also acknowledges the paradox of chess—it is not a gentle game in terms of competition, as it involves strategic warfare, yet it remains peaceful because no one is physically harmed. This subtle contradiction aligns with the broader theme that competition and courtesy can coexist.

The poem employs literary devices such as metaphor (chess as a "war" or "fight"), oxymoron (the peaceful war-like nature of chess), and repetition (the refrain about enemies and friends) to reinforce its message. The language is simple and accessible, making it an ideal piece for young readers to appreciate both the mental rigor of chess and its potential to build bridges between people.

Overall, The Peaceful Game serves as a reflection on the values of fair play, respect, and the balance between competition and friendship. Through the lens of chess, the poem delivers a universal message about the spirit of sportsmanship in all games and life itself.

Answers to the Exercise

Read and Understand

A. Tick (✔) the correct answers.

1. The poet thinks chess is a courteous game. ✔

2. The poet plays chess with family and friends. ✔

3. Nobody gets hurt when the chess game ends. ✔

B. Match the words in Column A with their antonyms in Column B.

C. Read these lines and answer the questions that follow.

1. "I like to think chess is a courteous game,

   
   

   I play it with family and friends,

   
   

   I like to think chess is a peaceful game

   
   

   Nobody gets hurt when it ends."

a. Who is the speaker of these lines?

1. The speaker is the poet, Nathan J. Goldberg.

b. Why does he think so?

1. He believes chess is a peaceful and courteous game because it does not involve physical harm, and it is played with respect.

2. "On the board we're enemies,

   
   

   Off the board we're friends."

a. What is his opinion of chess?

2. The poet sees chess as a game of strategy and competition, where players are rivals during the match but remain friends afterward.

b. With whom does he play the game?

2. He plays the game with his family and friends.

3. Whom does the speaker refer to as 'enemies' and 'friends' in these lines?

   • The speaker refers to chess opponents as 'enemies' while playing the game and as 'friends' outside of it.

4. When are they 'enemies' and when are they 'friends'?

   • They are 'enemies' while playing the game and 'friends' before and after the match.

D. Answer these questions.

1. Why does the poet think that chess is a courteous game?

   • The poet considers chess a courteous game because it requires good manners, respect for opponents, and does not involve physical aggression.

2. Who are the opponents in the game?

   • The opponents in the game are the two players competing against each other.

3. Why does the poet think that chess is a peaceful game?

   • The poet believes chess is peaceful because it does not cause any physical harm or violence, even though it is a battle of minds.

Appreciating the Poem

A. Identify the different figures of speech in the following sentences.

1. Black bug bit a big black bear. → Alliteration

2. Less is more. → Oxymoron

3. I'm drowning in the sea of grief. → Metaphor

4. They fought like cats and dogs. → Simile

5. She is as blind as a bat without her glasses. → Simile

6.      We gathered green leaves on the grass. → Alliteration

A. Find examples of similes/metaphors/oxymorons/alliterations used in the poem.

1. Alliteration (Repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of closely placed words)

• "I play it with family and friends." → Repetition of 'f' in family and friends

• "So both of us play at our best." → Repetition of 'b' in both and best

• "On the board we're enemies, off the board we're friends." → Repetition of 'b' in board and board

2. Metaphor (A direct comparison between two unlike things)

• "It's more like a war or a fight." → Chess is compared to war or a fight, emphasizing the strategic battle between players.

3. Oxymoron (A phrase that combines two opposite ideas)

• "On the board we're enemies, off the board we're friends." → The contrast between being 'enemies' and 'friends' in different settings creates an oxymoron.

4. Repetition (Words or phrases repeated for emphasis)

• "On the board we're enemies, Off the board we're friends." (Repeated twice in the poem)

• "I like to think chess is a courteous game, I play it with family and friends, I like to think chess is a peaceful game Nobody gets hurt when it ends." (Opening and closing stanzas are repeated)

• "So both of us play at our best." (Repeated twice)

5. Contrast (Highlighting differences between two things for effect)

• "On the board there is never peace, But that is just pretend."

  • This line contrasts the competition during the game with the peace shared outside of it.

• "On the board we're enemies, Off the board we're friends."

  • This emphasizes how the rivalry is limited to the game and does not affect personal relationships.

Write Well

Write a paragraph on chess or any other indoor game of your choice.

Chess – A Game of Strategy and Patience

Chess is one of the most fascinating indoor games that requires intelligence, strategy, and patience. Unlike physical sports, chess is played on a board with 64 squares and involves two players who control different sets of pieces. Each piece moves in a specific way, and the goal is to checkmate the opponent's king. The game enhances critical thinking, concentration, and problem-solving skills. Although it is a highly competitive game, chess promotes sportsmanship as players shake hands before and after a match. Overall, chess is not just a game but a battle of minds that helps develop logical reasoning and strategic planning.

Why Chess is a Special Game

Chess is a special game because it combines strategy, intelligence, and sportsmanship. In the poem The Peaceful Game by Nathan J. Goldberg, the poet highlights how chess is unique compared to other sports. Unlike physical games, chess does not involve running, jumping, or any physical activity; instead, it requires deep thinking and careful planning. The poet also describes chess as a courteous and peaceful game because players treat each other with respect, shaking hands before and after the match.

Although chess is often compared to a war or a fight, the poet emphasizes that this battle is only on the board. Outside the game, opponents remain friends, proving that competition does not have to lead to hostility. The game teaches discipline, patience, and fairness, making it special and different from other competitive sports. Furthermore, no one gets physically hurt when a chess game ends, reinforcing its peaceful nature.

Thus, chess is special because it is not just about winning or losing but about strategy, respect, and friendship, as beautifully expressed in the poem.

Question Paper: The Peaceful Game

Section A: Read and Understand

A. Multiple Choice Questions (Tick the correct answer)

1. The poet thinks chess is a:

   
   

   a) Rude game

   
   

   b) Courteous game

   
   

   c) Useless game

   
   

   d) Meaningless game

2. The poet plays chess with:

   
   

   a) Friends only

   
   

   b) Family and friends

   
   

   c) Coach

   
   

   d) Family only

3. Who gets hurt when the chess game ends?

   
   

   a) Everybody

   
   

   b) A few people

   
   

   c) Nobody

   
   

   d) The players

B. Match the words in Column A with their antonyms in Column B.

C. Reference to Context

Read the lines and answer the questions.

1. "I like to think chess is a courteous game,

   
   

   I play it with family and friends,

   
   

   I like to think chess is a peaceful game

   
   

   Nobody gets hurt when it ends."

a) Who is the speaker of these lines?b) Why does he think so?

2. "On the board we're enemies, Off the board we're friends."

a) What is the poet’s opinion of chess?b) With whom does he play the game?

D. Answer these questions.

1. Why does the poet think that chess is a courteous game?

2. Who are the opponents in the game?

3. Why does the poet think that chess is a peaceful game?

Section B: Appreciating the Poem

A. Identify the different figures of speech in the following sentences.

1. Black bug bit a big black bear.

2. Less is more.

3. I'm drowning in the sea of grief.

4. They fought like cats and dogs.

5. She is as blind as a bat without her glasses.

B. Find examples of similes, metaphors, oxymorons, and alliterations used in the poem.

Section C: Write Well

A. Write a paragraph on chess or any other indoor game of your choice.

Answer Sheet: The Peaceful Game

Section A: Read and Understand

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. b) Courteous game

2. b) Family and friends

3. c) Nobody

B. Match the words in Column A with their antonyms in Column B.

C. Reference to Context

1. "I like to think chess is a courteous game,

   
   

   I play it with family and friends,

   
   

   I like to think chess is a peaceful game

   
   

   Nobody gets hurt when it ends."

a) The speaker of these lines is the poet, Nathan J. Goldberg.

b) He thinks so because chess is played with respect and discipline, and no one gets physically hurt.

2. "On the board we're enemies, Off the board we're friends."

a) The poet believes that chess is a competitive game, where players are rivals only during the match.

b) He plays the game with family and friends.

D. Answer these questions.

1. The poet thinks chess is a courteous game because it requires sportsmanship and mutual respect between players.

2. The opponents in the game are the two players competing against each other.

3. The poet considers chess peaceful because, despite being a battle of minds, it does not cause physical harm or real-life enmity.

Section B: Appreciating the Poem

A. Identify the figures of speech.

1. Black bug bit a big black bear. → Alliteration

2. Less is more. → Oxymoron

3. I'm drowning in the sea of grief. → Metaphor

4. They fought like cats and dogs. → Simile

5. She is as blind as a bat without her glasses. → Simile

B. Examples from the Poem:

1. Metaphor → "It's more like a war or a fight." (Chess is compared to war.)

2. Oxymoron → "On the board we're enemies, off the board we're friends."

3. Alliteration → "I play it with family and friends." (Repetition of ‘f’ sound)

Section C: Write Well

A. Sample Paragraph on Chess:Chess is a game of strategy and patience. It is played on a board with 64 squares and involves two players, each controlling 16 pieces. The game requires deep thinking and careful planning, as every move can change the outcome. Chess is unique because it promotes critical thinking and discipline. Unlike physical sports, chess does not require athletic ability, but it builds concentration and problem-solving skills. Many people enjoy playing chess with family and friends, as it strengthens bonds and encourages respectful competition. Overall, chess is not just a game but a battle of the mind that teaches important life skills.