It's ok to a Catholic play Chess?

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I think it’s wrong how the elements of our Faith are used in Chess. The king has a Cross, I think the Cross is a sacred symbol and can’t be used in a game. Also theres a Bishop, I think it’s wrong because Bishops are sacred and can’t be used in a game too. I’m paranoid? Sorry for my bad English, is not my native language. 😊
 
To be brief: yes you are somewhat paranoid.

However why not use Moslem/Arabic chess set?

I assure they do not have bishops or crosses.

(Evil is in the mind of the beholder)
 
In reality I think this is paranoia too. But I want to know the others members opinions.
 
I don’t think there is anything wrong with playing chess. Thank you for the reminder to go out and buy a new chess set!👍
 
You might want to speak with your local priest, as it sounds like you might have tenancies that lend themselves to scrupulosity.

That said, there is nothing wrong with playing Chess. Now, if you bought a board that was explicitly anti-Catholic, or, I dunno, pornographic or something like that then it would probably be considered wrong to use that specific set, but the game of chess itself is morally neutral.
 
ChessPlayer said:
I think it’s wrong how the elements of our Faith are used in Chess. The king has a Cross, I think the Cross is a sacred symbol and can’t be used in a game. Also theres a Bishop, I think it’s wrong because Bishops are sacred and can’t be used in a game too. I’m paranoid? Sorry for my bad English, is not my native language. 😊
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I think it’s fine, as it’s based on political power structures in the West, lasting from the the medieval through late renaissance political . The Holy Roman Empire existed for centuries in various forms, with the king/emperor ruling in the name of the Cross.

In that era, bishops also exercised political influence and even commanded armies. Cardinal Richelieu, for example, was both a bishop and in 1624 became the chief minister of French king Louis XIII. He commanded French armies during the Siege of La Rochelle. Pope Innocent III (died 1216) had a whole theological rationale for the exercise of papal power in the temporal realm, an argument that largely persisted in practical ways until the 19th century, when the Papal States were formally stripped by Italian revolutionaries.

So to me, in reflection of our history, there’s nothing wrong with Catholics playing chess!
 
ChessPlayer said:
I think it’s wrong how the elements of our Faith are used in Chess. The king has a Cross, I think the Cross is a sacred symbol and can’t be used in a game. Also theres a Bishop, I think it’s wrong because Bishops are sacred and can’t be used in a game too. I’m paranoid? Sorry for my bad English, is not my native language. 😊
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Of course you can play chess. Popes have played Chess (IINM, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI plays), so why couldn’t you?
 
Nothing wrong with it. There is a representation but it’s not disrespectful - many kings had crosses in their crowns.

I’ve a set with a American Revolutionary War theme. Something like that would resolve any concerns you’d have.
 
**Maybe this will help put your mind to rest-

Some of the Popes who played chess :
John Paul I
St. John Paul II
Gregory VI
Innocent III
Leo III
Leo X

Some chess playing Saints:
Teresa of Avila ( She is also the patroness of chess players ).
Thomas Of Canterbury
Charles of Borromeo
Francis Xavier
Francis de Sales
Thomas More**
 
Nothing wrong with playing chess; losing to an 8-year-old as I did last night however … very, very wrong. :eek:
 
ChessPlayer said:
I think it’s wrong how the elements of our Faith are used in Chess. The king has a Cross, I think the Cross is a sacred symbol and can’t be used in a game. Also theres a Bishop, I think it’s wrong because Bishops are sacred and can’t be used in a game too. I’m paranoid? Sorry for my bad English, is not my native language. 😊
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Please see a Councillor for your scruples, also while in Confession mention this to Fr. also as Fr. might give you an name of someone who can help.

Chess pieces have had Crosss on them for hundreds of years, but if you personally don’t like them fine, you can get so many Chess Sets with various figures , if you go into Amazon, you might find one to your liking.

Please chill out, the Lord wants you to have peace of mind not a troubled one, offer up these little problems to the Lord for someone sick, someone in a hospital bed awaiting there results .
Go in peace and walk with the Lord.
 
I nominate original poster’s question as dumbest question of the year.
 
**
RosslynV said:
I nominate original poster’s question as dumbest question of the year.
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**

Goodness, please be kind.

The Op is new to CAF, this was only their second post.
We have all, at one time or another, asked questions that to others
the answers were obvious. Would you rather have someone
just answer your question, or not answer your question and
instead tell you it was dumb ?

No matter what, no question is dumb. If someone doesn’t
know the answer to something, obvious or not, it’s because they
don’t know the answer and are seeking knowledge.

Making someone feel bad shouldn’t be what we do here.
 
tomarin said:
Nothing wrong with playing chess; losing to an 8-year-old as I did last night however … very, very wrong. :eek:
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Hey! Me too! She was so proud of herself. I felt like an idiot. I made 3 mental mistakes and I guess that was too many to make against an 8 year old. As soon as they get the idea of distraction, strategy, and thinking ahead down, I guess it was inevitable.🤷😃

I never “let” my kids win. So when they do, they know it and they rub it in.😃
 
Hoosier_Daddy said:
Hey! Me too! She was so proud of herself. I felt like an idiot. I made 3 mental mistakes and I guess that was too many to make against an 8 year old. As soon as they get the idea of distraction, strategy, and thinking ahead down, I guess it was inevitable.🤷😃

I never “let” my kids win. So when they do, they know it and they rub it in.😃
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I’m glad I’m not the only one. 😊
 
ChessPlayer said:
I think it’s wrong how the elements of our Faith are used in Chess. The king has a Cross, I think the Cross is a sacred symbol and can’t be used in a game. Also theres a Bishop, I think it’s wrong because Bishops are sacred and can’t be used in a game too. I’m paranoid? Sorry for my bad English, is not my native language. 😊
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Would you consider yourself a scrupulous person?
 
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