Dog Star Man
12-31-10, 03:43 PM
http://students.haverford.edu/luntcafe/lunt/chess.jpg
About five years ago, I was heavily into chess. I had been playing chess for many years prior to that, but I think that was about the peak of "my chess game". I would rent chess books and video documentaries on it from the library to hone my game, and I did in the process get much better. Even when I was a kid I was good at the game, but as I grew older I just became beastly at it, studying it only sealed the deal. I even considered joining a chess team in high school, but I didn't want to have too many extracurricular activities getting in the way of studies. I just really wanted to pass to get out and move on to bigger and better things. Anyway, I guess it was after high school that I fell out of chess because no one seemed to share the interest I had.
Anyway,
The other night my two friends and myself decided to go to my local cigar shop for some cigars. My friend just returned from a tour in Afghanistan so I decided to buy him one. Anyway, while I was getting the cigars, they were in the back room playing chess. When I came to them I was shocked that they were into the game when I didn't think any of my friends were. (This is so cool). However, even though my chess-eye was rusty I was still seeing two and sometimes, though not as much as it used to be, three moves ahead. So I couldn't help myself. I was telling either friend after they played their move, "You should have..." (haha, I know I'm a jerk, but I was just excited I guess). Finally after one of my friends won, the gauntlet was thrown, and he challenged me. I was a tad nervous cause now I had to put my money were my mouth was and if I lost I'd look like a fool.
So then we started playing, I gave him first move. And immediately from there I gained my confidence again. I started dominating the board with two, to rarely, (need to hone this again), three step ahead attacks, pronged attacks, and the like. I started put him in check within less than five minutes and check mate in about ten. It wasn't all one sided though, my friends a pretty sharp guy so he had me from time to time.
Anyway,
I'm getting my chess game on again, like picking up a musical instrument again. I'm going to dust off my old chess board and bring it to my friends house every Saturday before Deadlands, (a D&D game set in the west), so we can throw down and play again. And now that I'm getting back into school, I think I will pick up a "Chess Club/Team" activity. I think it's good for me and will make me enjoy my school experience much more. Plus I may get some really nice pointers on how to improve my game.
I thought I'd share this on Misc. Chat because it's something positive, a recent joy that came into my life again, and thought I'd get some feedback. Any chess lovers/players out there?
About five years ago, I was heavily into chess. I had been playing chess for many years prior to that, but I think that was about the peak of "my chess game". I would rent chess books and video documentaries on it from the library to hone my game, and I did in the process get much better. Even when I was a kid I was good at the game, but as I grew older I just became beastly at it, studying it only sealed the deal. I even considered joining a chess team in high school, but I didn't want to have too many extracurricular activities getting in the way of studies. I just really wanted to pass to get out and move on to bigger and better things. Anyway, I guess it was after high school that I fell out of chess because no one seemed to share the interest I had.
Anyway,
The other night my two friends and myself decided to go to my local cigar shop for some cigars. My friend just returned from a tour in Afghanistan so I decided to buy him one. Anyway, while I was getting the cigars, they were in the back room playing chess. When I came to them I was shocked that they were into the game when I didn't think any of my friends were. (This is so cool). However, even though my chess-eye was rusty I was still seeing two and sometimes, though not as much as it used to be, three moves ahead. So I couldn't help myself. I was telling either friend after they played their move, "You should have..." (haha, I know I'm a jerk, but I was just excited I guess). Finally after one of my friends won, the gauntlet was thrown, and he challenged me. I was a tad nervous cause now I had to put my money were my mouth was and if I lost I'd look like a fool.
So then we started playing, I gave him first move. And immediately from there I gained my confidence again. I started dominating the board with two, to rarely, (need to hone this again), three step ahead attacks, pronged attacks, and the like. I started put him in check within less than five minutes and check mate in about ten. It wasn't all one sided though, my friends a pretty sharp guy so he had me from time to time.
Anyway,
I'm getting my chess game on again, like picking up a musical instrument again. I'm going to dust off my old chess board and bring it to my friends house every Saturday before Deadlands, (a D&D game set in the west), so we can throw down and play again. And now that I'm getting back into school, I think I will pick up a "Chess Club/Team" activity. I think it's good for me and will make me enjoy my school experience much more. Plus I may get some really nice pointers on how to improve my game.
I thought I'd share this on Misc. Chat because it's something positive, a recent joy that came into my life again, and thought I'd get some feedback. Any chess lovers/players out there?