Good
“Success is never final, failure is never fatal––it’s the courage to continue that counts.” –– Winston Churchill
There is a phrase you hear over and over again in the world of Chess. The match ends, hands extend, and regardless of outcome, two players look one another in the eye and say the same two words: Good game.
The purpose of the game is not about who won or who lost. It’s about honoring the journey that took place between the first move and the last.
At Acton, this is the heart of learning–the adventure between beginnings and endings, the courage to keep playing even when the path is unclear, and the humility to say “good game” whether you walked away victorious or are still learning.
This session, learners did far more than memorize Chess openings or calculate moves. They practiced character qualities embedded in each piece. Each week they practiced patience of the Pawn, planning of the Bishop, courage of the Knight, responsibility of the King, strength of the Rook, and leadership of the Queen. More than moves on the board, learners navigated how to move with honorable character.
To be clear, the purpose of this Quest was never to create unbeatable Chess players (although many learners are pretty unbeatable). The purpose was to grow learners who know how to play a good game—in Chess and in life.
Was the goal to earn a badge, a trophy, or put on a perfect Exhibition? NO. Each of those tangibles are lovely as Badges reflect milestones, trophies are celebrations, Exhibitions show the process yet the purpose of the Chess Quest is the character practiced over the course of 6 weeks. Every frustration, bold move, moment of a learner holding their breath before taking a risk, every time they started again after a mistake, every moment they supported a partner, debated a rule, honored a promise, or accepted a consequence, these practices show growth. The process is the point.
Exhibitions this week were beautiful, not because they were perfect but because they were beautifully messy and real. Each studio showed real insights, courage, nerves, teamwork, and real voices finding their way in front of a community. Always the realest of all are the lessons learned that our Acton heroes discover.
“I learned how to play with honesty.” “I learned how to be brave when I’m losing.” “I learned how to play as a team in Chess.” “I learned not to underestimate people’s skills and there’s always room to improve, even if you don’t think there is.” “I learned that I don’t just play Chess but I’m also good at teaching. Plus, I learned I can be persistent when I actually put the work in.” “I learned to give others a chance to lead because when I step down, they can step up.”
These words are the clearest proof that the goals of the Quest were met, not in what was produced but more magically, who each hero became.
This Quest matters because it invites the most important skill of all: how to play a meaningful game. As you close this Quest and reflect with your hero I offer you two questions:
Where did you see your child take a courageous move this session?
How might you honor their “good game,” not just their wins?
At Acton, we believe a meaningful life is not measured in victories, it is measured in growth, in courage, in integrity, in trying again, and in saying “good game” with a full heart.
Wishing you many good games as the Chess Quest continues in your home!