About Us: Central Florida Chess

Here's a forum topic about us. Tell us a little about yourself; how did you get into chess? Who inspires you? Feel free to share as much as you want.

OK, I'll kick it off.

I learned to play chess when I was a kid, but didn't really play much.  I hadn't played any chess for ~35 years, until March of 2009, when I joined this site.  I  have learned a lot, but am still very much in the beginner's stage of chess.  During my first year here, I was very active in V/C, T/M, and invites.  Over the past year, I have had to ratchet down my activites, due to my busy schedule.

I work full-time (Midnight shift), have a family, and am on the Praise & Worship team at my church.  As a musician, I need to practice quite a bit.  Also, since I'm an IT professional, I end up doing a lot of side work during the days (extra cash, if you know what I mean).  This all boils down to the fact that I don't have the time to devote to chess as I'd like to.  That, and I only get about 20 hours sleep during the work week.

I turned 50 this year.  As such, I made several New Year's resolutions, and actually followed up on them.

• Until this year, I had not played ANY OTB games since I was a kid.  So, I found anywhere I could play, and now do so, on a weekly basis, with the DeLand Area Chess Club (DACC).
• I have also played in five tourneys now, my next one being on August 20, at the Embry-Riddle campus, with the Daytona Beach Chess Club (DBCC).  It's a G50 tourney, divided into two groups @ 1600 (over/under), and only costs $20.  They have them every month.  They're a ball-buster, but still good to play in.
• I quit smoking, which is kinda' weird in the first place, as I didn't start smoking until I was over 30.  Also, I didn't really smoke that much, as I rolled my own tobacco, which was organically grown in Georgia.  I had about 5-7 a day.  I also smoked mostly undercover, so few people knew I did.  Still, smoking is smoking, so I quit.  It brings great joy to my wife and kids.

Who inspires me is a deep topic, of which, I could write a book (put that on my resolution list one of these years).  I guess it's safe to say that music inspires me, so I practice as much as possible.  I average 10-15 hours/week practicing piano, keys, and guitar.  Also, being a Christian (Christian is the Greek word for "follower of Christ") inspires me to be a better man.  Of course, that's another deep topic, so I'll leave it for a different forum.  My family also inspires me, which works hand-in-hand with my faith.

Anyway, I live in Deltona, and am open for get-togethers to play chess, Halo, Call of Duty, darts, bowling, golf, or whatever.

Security on the internet has always been a concern of mine, so I suppose I'll refrain from saying my name and being too specific.

I started playing at the school chess club in kindergarden/1st grade and have been for the most part playing since, though until recently I have come out of a two-year period of only more or less no play.  I've played in a couple tournaments since, the last being the US Open, where I was very happy with 5/9 I earned and my rating jumped over 1800.

I know that a few members at the Central Florida Chess Club which I had played in tournaments and seen around inspire me, mostly because they are masters now, and were on more or less the same track I am trying to get on. 

I too played a bit when I was a kid, and not often after that.  I tried to pick up the game about 10 years ago, had a lot of fun, learn a little bit.  I played oftern on the internet on ICC and played in a few OTB tourneys and the occassional casual blitz games at the CFCC club house.

Then, unexpectedly, my wife and I had another baby - our oldest at the time was 13!  So, chess fell by the wayside.

A few weeks ago, I was in NYC and saw some felows playing in the park and it got me thinking about the game again.  I joined this site and look forward to playing again.

I would live to find sme place to play some casual OTB, but understand that the CFCC is no more :(  If anyone knows where there may be some games where a virtual newbie would be welcome, please let me know.  Preferably in the Longwood/Altamonte Springs area.

Thanks!

I know the CFCC moved from Melody Manor, but haven't they relocated to the Casselberry Chess Club? I haven't dropped by, but the QC tournament that went on today was associated with them both. Maybe they have what you're looking for.

Well, I don't know if this is much help, but the DACC (DeLand Area Chess Club) meets at the Books-a-Million @ the Seminole Towne Center Mall on Tuesday's @ 7:00 - 10:00 PM.  I don't know if that's w/in your idea of doable or not.

I was playing there until this month.  They changed our P & W practice night to Tuesday's for at least a month, so I won't be able to make it to Books-a-Million for a little while.

Thanks.

You know, I used to play with that group years ago...forgot about them.  It is a little bit of a ride...but actually it is probably closer to my house than it is to DeLand! :-)

If I recall correctly, when I played with them there was a mixture of blitz and slower chess.  Is it still that way?

BTW - I have got to be nosey and ask...what is "P&W practice"?

Basically, it's whatever you want to play.  However, most of the guys like to play G15, with the 5-second bonus on digital clocks.

P&W stands for Praise & Worship.  I play guitar, piano, & keys, at my church.