Irony of Chess

I have Shredder on my phone, a fairly strong chess program for someone my experience and skill (strength is adjustable). I have shown the application to my older friend, in his late 50s, who was intrigued such applications exist on phones. Clearly not a fan of technology.

Fast forward a while later and we had began playing. I found it discouraging to watch the friend, who I had no idea even knew how to play chess, and I am sure hasn't in quite a long time, cruise through games where I would have no chance in.

To be specific, I tend to have a difficult time beyond 1600 playing strenght- any weakness,possible strategy or best move just does not seem to be there. My friend on the other hand found answers to the same positions in matter of seconds. Stronger and more experienced player clearly but hard to watch an 'unsolvable' position for myself, become a child's play for someone else.

Props to the quiet achievers. I would have bet anything I was able to beat the guy, he never even mentioned playing chess. I am glad I didn't open my mouth before watching a guy who barely knows how to send a text outplay me on my own phone.

Perhaps he was just better at chess than he let on.

I think there is more out there than you think, who doesn't join a chess club but a quite strong.
maybe he was a very strong chess player when he was young but had to give up chess for his career.
in addition to that he may have a secret passion for reading chess books.