I learned to play chess at the age of seven years from my school teacher. From there I joined a junior chess club eventually becoming an adult member. My best results were 1st equal in the provincial school pupils championship, followed by overall winner in the subsequent year. I was beginning to hold my own with players in the top 20 of New Zealand and it seemed that all the effort that I had put into the game was paying off.
Chess had become more than a game to me it had become a way of life and a source of my identity.
Around this time I had a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and for a period of time I tried to add Jesus to my chess, only to find that I was out of order! I subsequently broke all ties to chess for a period of sixteen years, while the Holy Spirit re-priorotised my life.
About five years ago I felt God's leading to play again, not for my own self as I had done but for the Glory of God alone. Chess is a gift that God has given us to enjoy and not a god (or goddess) as I had once made it!