The art of patience

A topic that could be expanded endlessly is the art of patience in chess and war. In life, especially in American it feels as though our culture is built around NOW NOW NOW. You will be there by 6pm so you can take your predinner nap dinner is at 7pm and round is at 8pm! STAT STAT. But seriously... we speed on our highways not because it gets us there faster but because we always feel we are in a rush. It is especially American culture to feel like you are always late to a very important date.

This translate I believe in a high portion to chess games as it does throughout all aspects of our life. Every person I encounter is quick to make blunders, heave his shoulders and sigh at a sound and solid opening or just resign a drawn or won endgame because of overeagerness to deliver the final knockout blow. I believe when watching highlevel chess I always hear groans mostly from my American compatriots about the "grind." Players like Leko, Kramnik and even other major GMs are often demurred with draw phrases on their name or other insults that barrage their opening prep to their will to win a slight plus endgame. This type of behavior from the commentators should be condemned. It should be welcomed in spades from the players that have the will to grind. The will to grind is a big part of chess as is the patience that goes with playing many a position. The ultimate question is how do we overcome culture to attain a high degree of patience? Or is it one should just unlearn impatience? The truth about players like Kramnik and Leko is they are willing to play as long as it takes. For example our recent Linares grind by the World Champion Anand vs Radjabov: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1535799