I learned the rules of chess from a World Book encyclopedia at the age of 11. I cut squares out of cardboard to use for pieces, and taught my brother how to play. In my early teens I finally was able to find and buy a real set. I studied Reinfeld's books, but never had a serious opponent until I was 18 or so. Played in the Kentucky Open, my first rated tournament, with some college friends in 1969. Today I am a retired professor, most recently from Grove City College in PA, where I was advisor to the Chess Club and taught chess at a local Christian school. I am now a Kentucky resident, new to the KY chess scene, but it seems to be an active and sociable group of people.