I wish I had learnt to play when I was younger, i.e before my teens. I learnt as a teen while in secondary school, and  it came at a time where I needed to learn some mental discipline.<p>In high school we used to coach younger kids from a neighboring primary school. Some kids would be all over the show, but the ones who did well picked up quite well. A few of them made provincial school tournaments, and fewer would make nationals. The gap in our training would then be apparent at that level because they&#x27;d be playing against kids who are learning enough chess theory, i.e endgame theory.<p>We once had someone in our team leading in material, but fail to mate her opponent, so sad yet funny because it was like a witch hunt, chasing the opponent king all over the show with a few pieces. We hadn&#x27;t taught them some endgame tactics.<p>I think chess is one of those games that many people should try out. I&#x27;m glad I had a friend in the game when I went through painful teenage years.