Grew up in Canton, Ohio and got B.S. Civil Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon, Univ in Pittsburgh. Spent 5 years in Air Force as a pilot, then spent 40 years in the PVC pipe manufacturing industry, in Oregon and North Dakota. Retired in Washington State in 2011. Started playing chess in 2022. Have always been active....former marathon runner, long distance cyclist, hiker, and more...most of which I do with my wife. Have 3 grown kids and 6 grand kids. Am a Christian.

Other hobbies include crossword puzzles, KenKen puzzles, and woodworking. Making chessboards in my shop for grand kids is what attracted me to chess.

Mike_Kalish