Dr. Lyndon Bouah, a seasoned South African chess player and captain, writes further as he shared his insightful reflections on the Poland Chess Olympiad. In his detailed account, he reminisces about his experiences, the lessons learned, and the values that define Olympism: excellence, respect, and friendship. He had the privilege of representing his country and competing with the world’s best players, including qualifying for his master title in 1992.
In his reflection, he recalled the words of Baron de Coubertin, “The true reward is not in the winning, but in the having taken part.” and remarked that the philosophy resonates with him, as he has learned that success is not just about winning, but about the journey, the effort, and the progress. “As a captain, I’ve learned valuable lessons: be humble, respect every player, praise publicly and criticize privately, understand each player’s context, and motivate and encourage each player. I’ve also learned to be gracious in defeat and humble in victory.”
In Round Six, he played in the main venue, taking risks with the king-side attack. He shared about how the experience reminded him of the importance of teamwork and unity. Dr Lyndon expresses his gratitude for the experiences, lessons, and friendships forged and about how proud he is to have represented his country, and looking forward to future challenges. The true reward lies not in winning, but in the journey itself.
Read full the reflections in the document attached;
