Chess Horoscope
How many of you have gazed at the stars in the night and seen a giant chess skyboard? The largest twinkling stars are kings and queens; the smallest ones, pawns. How would you assess your position? Are you winning or losing? Do you face any immediate threats? What move will you make?
There is a story handed down from the Middle Ages about a man of high birth who ventured out to a rural place away from the kingdom. It was late at night. He climbed up a steep hill to gain a better view of one particular star that had first caught his eye many years previously. Near the summit, he met a hermit, or seeker of knowledge, sitting on a tree stump and looking toward the kingdom's main city far below them.
"Hermit!" the man of royalty called out. "Do you see that star in the sky - the very largest one burning brightly above the city? For many years, it has spoken to me in its own way. Until now I have avoided it, but cannot any longer. What does it say?"
The hermit turned to the man and replied, "The stars speak in their own language. A language difficult for mortals to learn."
"But I must know the message of my star. It beckons me to heed its words," the man said.
"Then return to the city below. The stars are mirrors reflecting the souls of your kingdom," the hermit said. "There may be one person who is aligned with your star. If you can find that person and speak with him, he will interpret your star's words."
"But how could I locate this person you speak of, or know him when I have found him?"
"Your majesty, speak with each of your kingdom's subjects. Afterward you will know which of them gave you the secret of your star."
*****
Aries (March 21 - April 19)
The Initiative is what you seek. If you're playing stuff like the KIA, English Opening, Catalan, or QGD, you need your head examined. Play aggressive, active openings and take command of the game as soon as possible. Don't fight your own programming. You need to set the tempo, not the weakie on the other side of the board. Waiting for your opponent to decide things will lead to disaster. Favorite excuse for losing: "I played too fast." Guard against impulsiveness. Be brave, not foolhardy. The moment you see the light, go to it.
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Play openings you know and have studied. Don't even think of sitting down at a tournament game and winging it. You'll get your head handed to you. Keep to a conservative repertoire. Stay on familiar ground. If you face a surprise, keep calm and rely on your determination and self-belief. Your material nature impels you to accept gambits and sacrifices and attempt to hold onto the extra material. And you can do it as long as you stay calm. Favorite excuse for losing: "He hit me with an unfamiliar novelty." Keep a busy schedule. 2000 is your year.
Gemini (May 21 - June 21)
You're the life of the chess club, or should be. Play openings that allow you to express your imagination and cleverness. Don't stick to "the book" too long, you'll get bored and make a slip. Turn the game into a battle of wits, not memory. Favorite excuse for losing: "He knew more theory than I did." Try to get some action going on both sides of the board. You love it and your opponent will only get confused. Always keep things lively, routine is your enemy.
Cancer (June 22 - July 22)
Stop fooling with your opening repertoire. Play the stuff you've played since you were a kid. You draw strength from your lifelong attachment to familiar things. Steer clear of gambits and sacrifice nothing unless the future is secure. You only get into trouble when you venture out into unexplored territory. Favorite excuse for losing: "I didn't like his gamesmanship." Don't let others upset your fragile emotional balance, or all is lost. Upgrade your physical state of health: the mind follows the body. June is your time to thrive. A new special friend is right around the corner.
Leo (July 23 - August 22)
Your social activities will dissipate toward the end of June. That's a good time for studying with books, magazines, computer databases. Solitude and contemplation will do the trick. Think about how you're playing. Is it most effective or are changes needed? Careful about "advice" from "friends" during this time. Let go of the past, chart your future, and you'll make a great impression. Favorite excuse for losing: "My opponent was unworthy of me."
Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
You see further, you analyse deeper. Your powers of assessment keep you one step ahead of the crowd. Take the time to prepare your plans. It will be well spent and your results will show it. Seek the advice of stronger players, now is the time to ask. Late June is when trouble begins. Concentrate on avoiding confusion and chaos. Be the diplomat and avoid silly arguments. Favorite excuse for losing: "I ran short of time."
Libra (September 23 - October 23)
What did you learn from your last loss? If you can't answer, you won't improve anytime soon. Don't soar too high after a win, or fall too low after a loss. Avoid complications and think like you're Capablanca. Play something new, time for a change. You may want to hire a chess teacher for a few lessons. Favorite excuse for losing: "I missed a tactical shot." June is a great time to travel to that big tournament you've always thought about. You're due for a reward for all your hard work.
Scorpio (October 24 - November 21)
What opening will you play today? It's a mystery. Could be anything. Something new, something you just now learned. You will surely win all power struggles. Favorite excuse for losing: "I played into his favorite opening." Mingle with the rich, the famous, the poor, the unknown. The more, the merrier. Enjoy interaction with members of the opposite sex. Accept their friendship, their admiration. Queen your pawn before June 23 or forget it. Take a little trip the last week of the month to recharge your batteries.
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
Temper your desire to impress your opponents with your opening knowledge. Don't get carried away or you'll get clobbered. Your greater energy level will prevail. The middle of June, take care to avoid raucous surroundings. Play chess on the Internet, not in the loud clubs and cafes. Favorite excuse for losing: "He played crazy stuff." The first half of June, lay the foundation for building your most intimate relationships, because after the 21st, anything goes. Make a grab for money, power, whatever.
Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)
You seek power in chess: you are a club president, a politician representing your country's chess federation, a promoter, an organizer. Others trust you. They trust your confidence, your boundless belief in yourself. Everyone wants a piece of you. You live a busy, fast life, take care of yourself, don't overdo it. After the 16th of June, you'll need all your diplomatic abilities to avoid long-lasting problems. Favorite excuse for losing: "I didn't have time to prepare properly."
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
Don't worry about your opponents! So what if they lose? What about you? Your humanitarian nature sometimes prevents you from sticking in the knife for the coup de grace. Play in a team event. You're all working for the same goal. Favorite excuse for losing: "I just couldn't find a way to finish him off." Cultivate a little bloodthirstiness. Express your ascending creativity, play exciting chess! Cut loose whatever is restricting you, it's time to live life! Strike up a new romance, no, not at the chess club.
Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
Meditate on your chess career. Don't examine what you're doing in a scientific manner. Tap into your spiritual side. Find a quiet place to spend time thinking about where you are. Through intuition you will notice the weak points. This isn't the time to go out to bars and discos. The home is where you belong now. Talk over your chess plans with your family. Let them know what you are doing and how important it is to you. Take a set out to the backyard and play with your family. Favorite excuse for losing: "I lost the thread of the position."
- Mesmerini
July 2000 Horoscope
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