Media: 联合早报 聯合早報 Lianhe Zaobao
Recently, chess king Ke Jie said that when playing against AI, humans “play 100 games, lose 100 games.” He even joked that human chess data is worthless to AI — “feeding it in only pollutes the database.” Many who read this can’t help but wonder: since artificial intelligence has already surpassed humans in chess, do we still need to learn and play the game? The answer: Absolutely yes.
Don’t be discouraged: AI is not a “terminator,” but a “supporter.” Since AlphaGo, AI has advanced to a level where humans can no longer compete in absolute strength. But this does not mean learning chess has lost its value. On the contrary, AI has accelerated the progress of the chess world. For amateurs, AI provides more efficient ways to learn; for professionals, AI offers precise analysis and new strategies. It’s like always having a “super coach” at your side. Even Ke Jie, though joking about being “beaten to tears,” relies heavily on AI in daily training — proof that AI has become an essential tool in chess.
Analogy: We were never meant to “compete” with tools. Human value doesn’t lie in outcompeting machines. We can’t beat a lighter in starting fire, but we still need to learn fire control. We can’t out-dig an excavator, but we still exercise to stay strong. Likewise, the meaning of chess isn’t to “defeat AI,” but to train the mind, and to preserve the unique role this ancient game plays in human society.
The lasting human value of learning chess Even if AI always wins, learning chess still matters, in at least five ways:
- Logical Thinking & Strategic Vision – Chess develops reasoning, foresight, and big-picture planning, useful in study, work, and life.
- Emotional Control & Resilience – Facing mistakes and pressure builds focus and calmness. Ke Jie’s humor before AI reflects this mindset.
- Memory & Concentration – Memorizing moves and sustaining focus trains the brain, enhancing attention to detail.
- Handling Victory & Defeat – Wins bring pride, losses build toughness. Chess teaches growth beyond results.
- Social & Cultural Exchange – Beyond competition, chess fosters friendship, dialogue, and cultural heritage, from Go to Chinese Chess to International Chess.
AI’s dominance is not a human failure but a technological advance. Just as lighters don’t make fire mastery useless, and excavators don’t make physical training obsolete, chess remains one of the best ways to sharpen the mind. Thus, the meaning of chess goes far beyond “winning.” It is mental refinement, emotional training, and cultural inheritance. The same applies to arts, music, and sports. May parents, while equipping children with AI skills, also choose traditional disciplines like chess — every move shaping character with no regrets.
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