I was shown the game, learned some of the moves when I was 11.
That was just a one day thing, no more chess till college, then got
more or less addicted, lost to everyone it seemed. One guy in
particular was very egotistical in his wins, disparaging me, dumbell,
etc. Then went to the AF, met some much better players, one kid
who whomped on my butt continuosly for a couple of years till I
finally started defending better and started consistanly winning.
Then after the AF or on leave, forget now, found my old nemisis and
played him, he hadn't learned a thing from the old college days, still
played the same way, naturally I stomped him, very satisfying wins!
When I first joined the AF we took a 2000 mile train ride from
Hemet calif to San Antonio Tx., I pulled out a pocket set and asked
around for a game. This studious looking dude says, "I only play for
money". I was shocked, didn't know people even did that! So I says,
(gulp) how bout a game for a buck? he goes, "I don't play for less
then 5 dollars" (double gulp). People around us were perking up,
very boring ride, something is happening. I talked him down to 2 bucks so a referee take our 4 bucks and we start playing. Mind you,
I had only played a bit seriously for about 4 months or so.
We start playing and I cut through him like a hot knife through orange
juice! Couldn't believe this guy would seriously try to play for money
when me, a absolute beginner, would take piece after piece and he
ends up with nothing. Met him a few months later at our training base
in Denver, I said hi, he turns red in the face, turns around and rushes
out of the room! I was with a couple of guys who knew about our
famous match and we just said, wow.
Originally posted by Shanshu311I think what you are saying, is an impossibility. You are way past PROVISIONAL. You are what, 1175 and beating players at 1400+? How can that be? Either you are beating those 1400+ and then the next player you play would be a, say, 1000 or less, then lose to him, and that would drag you down. I say if you are beating 1400+ most of the time, stay playing those players and you should definitely see your rating jump to where you want it. Just a thought. Sincerely, Trains44
I remember playing as a child in preschool, but not very often. Then I remember playing with my uncle, and then I started playing in high school. That's when I really started playing, I think.
THEN I started playing here, and all of the sudden, I can't win a friggin game to save my friggin life. Seriously, how is it that I can beat players with rati ...[text shortened]... 1200? Explain that, sombody please.
*sigh*
Anyway, that's how I started playing chess.
Originally posted by TRAINS44I know we have great people on this site, with very few exceptions. Its a privilege to be able to talk to them and exchange ideas with relative freedom. Some of them are amazingly intelligent and insightful... I feel compelled to make sure that the other end of the spectrum is covered... that of the idiotic and the insane.
Ohhh Hand of Hecate...Why are you so cruel? Be nice, we have wonderful people on this site.
But I'll forgive you, fear not.
Plus, while I enjoy baiting Bowmann, and others, I do admire his brevity of wit. Some of his one liners are really quite good, but, he's quick to anger and hence fun to jab with a stick.
Originally posted by Hand of HecateFrom what you write, you sound like an intelligent and good person.
I know we have great people on this site, with very few exceptions. Its a privilege to be able to talk to them and exchange ideas with relative freedom. Some of them are amazingly intelligent and insightful... I feel compelled to make sure that the other end of the spectrum is covered... that of the idiotic and the insane.
Plus, while I enjoy bai ...[text shortened]... e liners are really quite good, but, he's quick to anger and hence fun to jab with a stick.