Sometimes," he said at last, as if it were an enormous effort to formulate his thoughts, "I wonder if chess is something man invented or if he merely discovered it. It's as if it were something that has always been there, since the beginning of the universe. Like whole numbers.
The character in the story reflects on the nature of chess, pondering whether it is a human invention or a discovery of something that has always existed. This thought reveals a deep philosophical inquiry into the game's origins, suggesting that its essence might be intrinsic to the fabric of the universe itself. The comparison to whole numbers implies that chess has a fundamental, timeless quality.
This contemplation indicates a connection between humanity and the abstract concepts we create or uncover. It raises questions about the relationship between man and the universal truths that seem to transcend our existence. In this way, chess becomes a symbol of a deeper intellectual pursuit, one that speaks to the enduring qualities of logic and strategy.
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