My brother taught me the moves twice. When I was five it didn't stick, so I asked him to teach me again when I was eight. I played in my first club tournament at age 18 and first USCF-rated tournament at age 21. Since then I've played over 1000 rated games and won or tied for first in over 70 tournaments.

I became a chess master at the age of 29. In 2005 the US Chess Federation awarded me the Life Master title for playing over 300 consecutive games while maintaining a Master rating. The strongest player I've ever beaten is Walter Browne, a six-time US champion.

I don't play chess as well, or anywhere near as often, as I used to, My 2200 official USCF rating is probably about 100 points too high.

Splane