About me: Born at an early age, like so many of my lost hippy generation, I began a heartfelt, earnest search for the true meaning of life. I tried Buddhism, Catholicism, Judaism (a painful process for an adult male), and -- in utter despair -- yes, even Punch and Judaism! [Speaking of Punch and Judaism, my search was not altogether in vain, for I did have an epiphany: When performing a sock-puppet comedy routine onstage, do not -- I emphatically repeat DO NOT -- use a transparent, plastic baggy for the sock, the audience will see right through your act.] My quest was to no avail, for the true purpose of life still eludes me; instead, what I did find was chess with it's well-defined purpose of checkmate. Now let's return to the real topic, me. I am special ... just like everyone else. To wit: I am a 60+ years old, married, straight man, who plays chess as a hobby -- that's just the way I roll, Buckeroo. Shall we rumble?

I offer here some free verse I just wrote (feel free to borrow):

---------------------------------------The Queen Arrives----------------------------------

Impasse, or an army slain,
my Pawns shall take no prisoners nor flee from pain.
Gallant, skilled Knights mount-up, Rex Nemesis is nigh,
and steeds do charge to the front,
before the enemy hears the fierce Bishops' battle cry.
Opening campaign was a land grab;
center squares are all.
Whilst midgame pieces frantically grapple,
to find a winning combination or fall.
Castles herald the endgame;
anon the denouement is at hand.
Their liege has ordered them to battle,
now that few remain and stand.
Advance now the Rooks,
adorned with the terrible aegis of old.
Titanic towers laying claim to the open files,
with the war hammers they hold.
But now, o'now, a silence as deafening as raging thunder,
stills the troubled board.
For a majestic, ruthless Imperatrix has moved
to slay King and opposing hoard!