From Kingpin 11
(Spring 1987) and Kingpin 13 (Spring
1988)
Is the Pen Mightier than the Board?
In an extraordinarily frank interview
with the Dutch magazine New in Chess, Canadian IM
Lawrence Day once discussed subjects as diverse as politics,
sado-masochism and astrology. This is not the sort of thing
you normally expect to find in a chess magazine and it goes
without saying that chess players are known to the public
chiefly by their games. We attempted to find out more about
the personalities of some of the world's top players –
not by interviewing them, for few are as forthcoming as
Lawrence Day, but by analysing their handwriting.
‘Scientific Graphology’, its practitioners contend,
is ‘a highly developed analytical technique which
enables the basic qualities, drives and attitudes of an
individual to be assessed from handwriting’. We decided
to put this claim to the test by giving a leading scientific
graphologist, Barry Branston, handwriting samples submitted
by two well-known chess players.
Would Mr Branston’s findings corroborate what is known
of his subjects’ personalities and their chess-playing
styles? Would his analyses tell us anything we didn’t
already know? Or would they amount to little more than a
collection of vague generalisations of the kind that one
normally associates with daily horoscopes? You can judge for
yourself.
Subjects:
GM
Yasser Seirawan |
|
This writer’s stamina, while not
being in any way dynamic, is consistent, allowing him to be
alert and mobile even though a toll is taken when all his
energy is fully utilised. There is a transference of inner
strength and persistence to careful handling of most things
he is concerned with.
Due to his sensitive nature he could be easily hurt
emotionally; he does not, therefore, get too deeply involved
in matters from which he would find it difficult to extricate
himself.
He possesses fine character development and expends nervous
tension and mental energy continually. As a result of
self-discipline and control over his feelings and impulses,
he maintains a good degree of balance and is unlikely to
overreact in moments of crisis.
Trifles
There is a high level of intelligence and response to
intellectual subjects, a clear talking process, logical
observation and perception, good memory, and a reliable
judgement supporting his rapid assimilation of factual
knowledge. Indeed, his mind can occasionally become
over-taxed through paying too much attention to irrelevant
trifles, simply because he must have everything correct and
in its place to allay anxiety.
Because he likes to feel safe he is unwilling to take risks
and will not change his life-style to changes.
Realistic
There is also a strong
imagination there but this is restricted to realistic
concepts and is not allowed to run to its full potential.
Bring of a sensitive nature he would choose his friends with
care; even so, should he be treated unfairly, then the
relationship could be quickly severed. He has an interest in
people rather than things, and he has no desire to be
isolated from the happenings of life. He needs to be a part
of the environment and be aware of what is going on around
him.
Fun-loving, high-spirited activity is not for him though, he
prefers a formal approach and would be attracted to
ceremonious affairs and events. He could even be accused of
lacking humour.
If and when he has the time, he is always ready to expand his
field of intellectual and spiritual interests – this
rather than reflection into the past. However, his response
to anything new is cautious (as already stated). In his
preference to follow established ideas he will usually remain
within definite concepts that have been proven. so, in spite
of the capacity to ‘think big’, which is rarely
displayed, he is neither very expansive nor closely confined
– a nicely balanced attitude to life.
Teacher
Where communal enterprise
is concerned, his head rules his heart. He will say
‘yes’ or ‘no’ with very little
compromise, and cannot be pressured into doing something he
does not like. In this sphere of his career, friend around
him are unimportant because he will work under his own
direction provided there is a competitive element to
stimulate his critical mind and provide a challenge, from
which he obtains a great deal of satisfaction in overcoming
obstacles.
He is a believer in discipline, observes rules and
regulations, and understands the need for justice, law and
order.
He would make a very good teacher, having the aptitude for
clear communication and the essential conscientious
obligation to duty.
See
Yasser Seirawan’s Questionnaire
GM Tony Miles |
|
This writer possesses a good consistency
of stamina and vitality along with a lively adjustment to
life. his strong personal tempo maintains a constant activity
level and sense of purpose, making him a good starter and
finisher in whatever he undertakes. his fondness for physical
action and good organisation of time and effort allows him
the capacity for getting things done without cutting corners.
In this way he progresses on his own terms, making up his own
mind when he is ready to respond to a stimulating,
unrestrictive competitive challenge.
Assertive
He possesses a high degree
of intelligence and intellect, a very clear thinking process,
logical observation and perception, backed by sound
judgement.
His factual approach to problems is fired by spontaneous
mental grasp of the situation and a good memory function. He
has the ability to quickly differentiate between what is and
what is not essential; even so, at times there is a conflict
between an impromptu act and rigid self-control.
Conviction
By nature he is more assertive than
complacent and should not be taken for granted, particularly
when under pressure of deep concentration. Interference at
these times will, to put it mildly, touch his sensitivity,
causing him to be outspoken.
He is self-protective and distances himself from his
emotional feelings, sometimes forcibly, by not allowing his
personality to display itself at a deep level – a
self-imposed limitation.
He is, therefore, initially formal in his approach to others,
who may mistakenly think of him as unsociable; it’s just
his way of safely, and with discrimination, selection his
personal acquaintances.
Although friendly and having an interest in all areas of
life, he is neither essentially extrovert nor introvert/
however, should he so wish, he can be outgoing with whatever
presents itself in a social situation, and equally withdraw
just as quickly. He has a fence around himself, allowing in
only those he trusts – hence the slow development of
associates.
He has firmly rooted convictions and ideals with regard for
confidentiality. This does not imply that he does not enjoy
recognition to feed the pride in his achievements – he
does, and enjoys it.
Drive and
determination
He is ambitious, with the
drive and determination to succeed in his endeavours –
always a desire to improve and develop his skill and
proficiency. On a business level he is amenable to co-operate
in team spirit, and will do his utmost to show his worth.
Notwithstanding his careful consideration regarding
friendships, he is an affectionate and sensual person who
needs private tender loving care from a compatible companion
or partner, and is equally capable of extending his own
warm-hearted affinity. A man whose drives are well integrated
and who knows what he wants out of life, but is seldom
content because of his need for mental stimulation all the
time. His spur to enterprise.
***
Graphologist Jane Garvie offers
pen portraits of six other players based on samples of their
handwriting. Can you guess who they are? Answers at the
bottom of the page.
1.
British GM
Clear-minded in terms of
abstract thought and generally good sense of essentials.
Speculative. Memory for detail, capacity for meticulous care
and concentration. Generally works intuitively, then
conceives a plan and goes for it, sometimes ignoring details
in desire to attain goal and finding it difficult to change
tack halfway through. Tends to be cautious and carefully
contemplates plans, yet also inclined to rush towards goals.
Dislikes making errors of any kind. somewhat erratic and
inconsistent. Confidence varies a lot – not basically
very confident, yet may sometimes overestimate his abilities
or chances of success. Excitable, changeable.
2. Former Soviet GM Defector
Intelligent, logical, fairly
speculative, good memory for detail, accurate, meticulous,
strong concentration. Sense of essentials. Careful, stops and
thinks about intended plans, dislikes making errors. Worried
about going ahead – fearful of consequences.
Underestimates own abilities. Inhibited, not a good mixer.
Strong self-discipline. not adaptable or flexible. Not
impulsive. Strong-willed, uncompromising with own weaknesses,
keen to discipline self. Works hard and careful to produce
high standard. Resilient, not easily discouraged.
Persevering, goal-oriented, determined, reliable, energetic.
Intense, not easy-going. Holds emotions in check in order to
think things out with deliberation.
3.
British IM
4.
Veteran Former Soviet GM
Intelligent, speculative,
imaginative, some original ideas. Good memory for detail and
can be accurate and meticulous. Sense of essentials. Caution,
stops to think about intended plans, wary of making mistakes.
Subjective – sees things very much from own point of
view. Entertaining, dramatic, powerful personality. Sociable
and generous. Proud and confident. Wants to impress others
and receive attention and recognition. Tries to overcome
obstacles with dash and personality and unwilling to admit
failure (satisfied with the illusion of success, if
necessary). Dynamic and enthusiastic. Attracted to great
enterprises, but may neglect matters of apparently lesser
importance. Adaptable, but rather easily discouraged.
Emphatic. Frank and warm-hearted.
5.
Former World Champion
Emotional, warm, kind, generous.
Natural and unaffected, open, self-expressive, probably
extrovert. Adaptable. Enthusiastic, optimistic, resilient,
forward-reaching. Probably quite imaginative (though not
especially original). Generally logical, but could also be
intuitive.
6.
Former World Champion
Strong, intense, not easy-going,
energetic, strong-willed. Pride, sense of own importance,
take public image seriously – and regards it as true.
Thus unwilling to let go or jump into risk situations, as
fears loss of face/status. Probably tends to regard
life/activities as battles. Lack of flexibility. controls
feelings in order to think and concentrate well (but may be
moody or irritable). Calculating.
1.
‘erratic and inconsistent’, ‘excitable’
–Jim Plaskett
2.
‘not a good mixer’, ‘disciplined’ –Viktor
Korchnoi
3.
‘original, creative, impulsive’ –Michael
Basman
4.
‘entertaining, dynamic’ –David Bronstein
5.
‘natural, enthusiastic’
6.
‘proud, energetic’
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