The game of chess has long been as an old friend that has become estranged. As a child and into my teens I would enjoy play with whomever I could, whenever I could, but (sadly) as the twenties rolled 'round, the desire to sit by 64 squares, 16 pieces and 16 pawns waned somewhat. Now that I am over the shock of my fourth decade in this (unquestionably) interesting part of the universe, I feel I am ready to face again some of the more important things of life.