Finding a new game..

I thought I'd take a few minutes to share my story on here, perhaps someone else will find it interesting.

Late last year I was embarking on my fifth year of martial arts, specifically I was deeply invested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) which is a highly physical grappling art that has a tremendous reputation for complex strategy and tactical play. I was loving it, challenging, great exercise, good people, all around I couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable way to spend time after work.

It was shortly after I discovered how much I enjoyed it that I learned I had suffered a very specialized type of hernia, would need an operation, and may or may not be able to continue with my martial arts training again.

Wow. This was not what I was expecting.

Well as luck would have it I was given the green light to return, however I found very quickly that surgical scar tissue and the physical changes surgery brings had created too many obstacles to overcome. It took me close to 6 months to make that final decision, but once it was done I didn't look back.

So, time went on, I threw myself deeper into my work and family, however I knew I needed a hobby, something challenging, interesting, and something I could practice and enjoy regardless of my hectic schedule. Problem was, I couldn't find anything.. until a few weeks ago.

My wife and I were out to dinner (the elusive date night!) and we decided to stop by a local book store (yes, we are just that exciting). No sooner did we walk in than something blew into my wife's eye and she had to try and wash it out in the restroom. So there I was standing around near the restrooms waiting and staring at the "Games" section in the book store. Well no harm in browsing while I wait..

There were sections on crosswords (nah), Suduku (Fun, but boring after about 1/2 dozen times), Poker (I'll keep my money in my pocket thank you), and then Chess. Great googly moogly, there must have been 10 rows of Chess books. What? How could this be? I mean there's only so many pieces, how complex could this be? I picked up "Chess for Rookies", it looks like fun, simple cover, simple writing. Wow, chock full of algebraic notation? Perhaps this could be fun, let's see...

Well after reading the book, finding and registering for Chess.com, and getting made to look like a 3rd grader by the Tactics Trainer I can safely say I'm hooked.

If you happen to read this post and want to help out a rank amateur let me know, I'll take all the help I can get.

Thanks!

-f