The game of chess has an arc that parallels many of life's dramas. There is the opening, which looks a lot like other moments we are accustomed to in life, with its anticipated gestures and clear consequences. There is the middle game, which has, especially for the beginning player, much of the ambiguity of life, and much of the opportunity to learn through conflict. And then, finally, there is the endgame, which rewards patience and self-mastery.

In this section, each of these stages of the arc will be examined in turn.