Originally Published: March 3, 2010
Tiger’s comeback tougher than Ali’s
By Bill Simmons
ESPN.com
Ever see those crazy guys in the park playing speed chess? They’re flying along at warp speed, trusting their instincts and trying to avoid one mistake that might get them checkmated. That’s what doing an online chat is like. Writing a column is like chess; you have time to mull strategies and move pieces into the right places. But an online chat? Speed chess.
My Friday chat on ESPN.com drew 42,000 questions. The total transcript was 9,600 words, and because I probably typed two-thirds of them, that means I banged out about 6,400 words in three hours. When I wasn’t typing, I was sifting through questions looking for a good one to post. Didn’t pee. Didn’t get a drink. Didn’t even stand up. Just emptied my brain on a keyboard.
Now here’s why I rarely do chats anymore: Under speed chess conditions, it becomes exceedingly possible that either (A) I might say something inappropriate, (B) I might infuriate my bosses in some way or (C) I might argue a point incorrectly without realizing it until later. On Friday, I made a mistake comparing the 2010 Tiger Woods to the 1970 Muhammad Ali, saying Tiger’s comeback would be much tougher because “everyone under 35 was rooting for Ali.” Total hyperbole that never would have happened had I spent more time thinking about it. More importantly, I botched a quality point that could have made for an interesting column.
Let’s return to my admittedly rushed thesis …
When Tiger Woods returns to golf, he will face a level of pressure that well surpasses anything any other transcendent athlete has faced in my lifetime.
Yeah. Absolutely. Let’s hop on the course and play nine holes (in the form of points) to bang home the point that, yes, Tiger’s presumed return to golf in 2010 will be significantly more difficult than Ali’s return to boxing in 1970.
Here is the full article.
Tiger Woods will always be best.
Tiger’s comeback tougher than Ali’s !! Absolutely no way!!
Ali is the greatest!!
I’ve been thinking of Tiger’s latest “achievements” and golf in general as compared to chess but in slightly different angle.
Earlier last year Tiger Woods went to the Olympic committee and convince them to make golf an Olympic sport (replacing baseball). One of his arguments was that he (personally) would play at the next Olympics. Now, less than a year later, we know much more about his character, motivation and driving forces. Nevertheless his contribution to golf will stay and we haven’t even included his playing qualities.
Didn’t we try to make chess an Olympic sport? Yes, IMO some very weak and un-coordinated effort was made. I’ve even read interviews of famous chess players almost dismissing the idea. On the other side many chess professionals are obsessed with the idea how much chess is a gentlemen’s sport. For example, one very recent “achievements” in chess is to make the handshake between players mandatory. It may be only me, but I see the same attitude when somebody brings up (just like that) the “toilet scandal” discussion.
Seriously? It’s been four years already. I have a feeling that chess players and professionals can learn a lot from Tiger Woods and golf.
If Tiger makes a mistake he won’t get his face & body pummeled like Ali could have. Oh sorry, I was wrong that already happened, his wife did that to him with a club.
Brit-MAte
I don’t care about golf, but….
I think this entire “Tiger Woods scandal” is a media generated, totally artificial event. I seriously doubt that the average golf fan cares about who Tiger has sex with and why, or whether he is a faithful husband or not.
Would any real chess fan care about that Kasparov made a fool of himself trying to become the president of Russia, if he would choose to return to active chess?
I seriously doubt it.
Tiger’s come back?
Hasn’t that man come enough?