First chess tourney

  My first serious chess tournament was in St. Louis.  I played a gent by the name of Eric Ewalt.  I remember that i played the french and he played the advance variation. I became so nervous (because it was my first serious tourney, not because he played the advance) that my left hand went totally numb, and I was unable to write with it. (I am left-handed.)

 Naturally, I lost.

 Chess is beautiful and cruel.