I often played a game of Korean checkers with my two sons when they were young, specifically the juvenile version where making a row of five stones determines the winner. As they grew older, however, I taught them to play the regular game of Korean checkers. I wanted them to realize and appreciate the beauty of life through it. It is my deepest wish for my beloved sons as well as my beloved church members to live life, not like that of chess, but like the game of Korean checkers.
Chess is a game that is won by capturing the king, so the soldiers who guard the king have to be sacrificed for the sake of victory. On the contrary, the point of Korean checkers is to build as many house-like formations on the board. Consequently, the number of chess pieces decrease as the game progresses, but the stones in Korean checkers increase. Moreover, chess can be won in an instant by utilizing the particular function of a soldier piece in capturing the king. On the other hand, Korean checkers is a game that necessitates the coordination of all the stones, and additional stones as the game progresses. This kind of strategic play is the distinctive charm of Korean checkers.
I question whether or not it is better, in fact, to live one’s life like that of Korean checkers than chess. Chess, arguably, is a game that aims for victory by means of battle whereas Korean checkers is by building. It is never throwing away but utilizing every stone for victory and using the so-called useless pieces wisely. Similarly, no person is inherently useless; it is a matter of putting the right person in the right place. Successful living is not having ten good friends, but having no enemies. Just like the game of Korean checkers, I encourage you to secure those that will stand on your side to the end.
Copyright 2002 Jesus Centered Church All rights reserved.
376, Gonghang-daero, Gangseo-gu, Seul / zip 07648 / Tel.+822-533-9191
Seoul Yongsan P.O.Box, 37, Yongsan-gu Seoul(Seoul 140-600 Korea)
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