ABSTRACT
As with many interesting discoveries, the realization that chess can be used to improve object relationships with narcissistic adolescents came about serendipitously. The principal author 1 was counseling a 17-year-old boy of Russian/Armenian descent using traditional talk therapy. An exploration of the boy’s family relationships revealed his perception of his mother and father as controlling and domineering—“they’re from the Old World,” as he described it. His heritage led to a discussion of Kasparov and other chess masters he could idealize (he took pride in his cultural identification). Sharing an interest in chess led to a “challenge” match, which was observed by the boy’s fellow alternative education students. Chess became an immediate catalyst to students seeking a relationship with me, and the use of the game served as a method and metaphor for working with the narcissistic issues affecting their interpersonal and school relationships.
