Dharma of the Board
Shaolin Chess is different, it's hard.
it's not for everyone. it's a living puzzle in which you contend in the grand skirmishes, but if there's a market for the Rubik's cube, Topo Chico, Celery soda, or Go, there's a market for this...
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Shaolin Chess will never be an online game. Let's be honest, there are enough of those. I wanted to create a community that didn't revolve around: Alcohol, Drugs, Deities, or Politics. A community based on mutual and personal growth, challenge, stories, and thought.
One where if you said something out of line, you'd immediately know.
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So here are a few codes of conduct to cultivate the culture:
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1. Put Your Phone Away
Much like taking your shoes off when entering a home, this is probably the most important aspect I will go over. This is your time, be here. The board deserves your full attention, and so does everyone around it. There's nothing respectful in dissociating around the table.
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2. There Is Always a Tomorrow
Before the first match, name something you're putting effort into: a project, your finances, your focus, your joy, patience, whatever you're growing. own it.
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3. Play With Respect
No slamming pieces. No power trips. No yelling. We play to grow, not dominate.
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4. Lose with Strength, Win with Grace
After each match, all players express one thing they learned or respected in others strategy. Let reflection end the round, not ego.
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5. Share the Time
let people finish their thoughts. give space like you’d want space to speak, and if someone is quiet give them a chance to speak.
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6. One Silent Round
Each meetup, spend at least one round or game in total silence. You’d be surprised how much the game speaks when you listen.
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7. Keep the story going
Tell a story, from your life, or from something you've read, or from the game itself. Not one at someone else’s expense, it's weak, especially if they’re not present to defend themselves.
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8. Keep it clean
Leave yourself, your space and friends better than you found them.
This is not about hygiene, this is about respect.
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9. Record the Highlights
If something cool or meaningful happened during the game, write it down in the group's shared records.
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10. We're Just Passing Through
One day, someone else will sit in your seat. Don’t pretend you haven’t made mistakes. Teach with Grace and understanding.
