My Chess Neighbor Goes Nuts

Yesterday my chess partner went nuts.  First he called me for advice . Said somebody had sicced the cops and nut-house on him.. Said he needed a place to hide.  i said o.k.   5 minutes later he is at my door, a pillowcase stuffed with his critical stuff in hand.. he said he was hearing voices, picking away at his skin , his face was a mess.   everything  worked out because his mom showed up roaring like mama bear.. What do u think about all this Joe? This is the guy who beats me 8 to 3 regularly.  remind u of Bobby, Joe?

Was he hearing Joe's voice?

Umm... o.O?

I am actually becoming afraid of playing chess because of these stories. I mean, sometimes, I even see chess pieces before I go to bed. It's annoying and exhausting at times. I'm wondering whether chess really might be dangerous. I mean look at Fischer?

here is how I avoid it taking over my life, I play Guitar, Study University Material, have a vested intrest in sports, play other games. etc... until recently had a relationship... just diversify your life to the point where you have other things to do.

I study too. But sometimes it doesn't help. I've been obsessed with chess for one year and I've already become a 1600-player.I'm afraid I won't be able to stop until I've sort of mastered this board game...

yes but its not the chess that drove him nuts it is the chess that has been helping him keep sane.  Like Bobby his problems go way deeper than chess.  Although many claim Bobby waS NEVER NUTS AT ALL? What do u think Joe?

U see me and this guy were playing chess every night, passing peace pipe and listening to classical music.  He lost it in a day or two. Monday he was cool, Wednesday he went nuts! Go figure.  What do you make of this Joe?

Was the peace pipe laced with something red?

If so, it could explain the scratching at the face because of itching and the hallucinogenic hearing of voices (-- due to a psychoactive substance added to whatever you smoked).

Someone whom we will just call "someone who isn't me" once relayed an account of how someone had laced a blunt with something red and the itching and voices started almost immediately after a few hits.

They thought it may have been angel dust or something similar and ended up dancing in front of the mirror with their heart beating so fast it was visible in their chest and feeling more alive than ever.

It sounds like your chess partner may have experienced something similar, although it is hard to deduct from the limited information provided in your description.

I hope this helps.

It was the classical music; I know that was it. I hope this information helps Joe.

And a question, is this ''friend'' actually you?

my buddy has a long standing problem with self-mutilation.  original is hoping that it's me.

                I was watching one of these police lock up, or jail shows at 3am. These guys are in jail, suddenly this big fight breaks out. When the dust settled and order is restored, 2 guys needed medical attention. They get more time added to their sentence, and the cop says, what started it? It was a chess game. Seems that they play for money, and the loser didn't want to pay up.  So if you ever have to go to jail; leave your chess board at home!

He can't handle his chess.

traptrix  u hit the Tri-Fecta  on that one and no the greenery was definitely not laced, we are not bums or drug addicts , we are students and raconteurs,  i take care and attention when i purchase the greenery

Do you get a poor position from the opening? Or lose ground in the middle game? Or is he better in the endings?

Whichever it is, work at improving the middle game. Combination play and positional understanding. Also, wear dark glasses - the picking at the skin tactic is probably distracting you.

Nil desperandum. You'll soon enough match this guy

If he's a paranoid skitzophrenic he may just pull out a gun and shoot you if you corner his queen.  STAY AWAY - find another partner

We'll never know who Joe is...

david knows nothing about the openings, he is way to lazy to ever crack a book, but he is a middle game demon and he has a servicable end game.  i was getting closer and closer to his level and then he dropped out of society.. By the way i havent heard from him since that day.  And he's not answering his phone,  straight to voice mail.

look at learningthemoves comment above