I never took it up except for piddling around on here.
Will you ever retire from chess?
All my life i struggled to be happy. Chess makes me happy. Retiring from chess means giving-up that which makes me happy.
Thanks to the OP for an interesting thread. I took a rather long vacation from Chess ( approx. 1975 to 2000 ) but I'm very happy to be back. Besides enjoying the playing of Chess there is also the advantage of keeping the mind active ( and yes I do have a thread on that topic lol ).

I think Chess is awesome in that it allows for a person to play beyond the usual retirement age for ordinary occupations. As for sporting occupations, I can't think of anything that a great player could do for a longer period of time and be either the best or among the very best.

I don't play OTB tournaments anymore, or organize/direct them, or coach school teams like I used to. Or eagerly await book orders from Chess Digest!
If that's "retirement," so be it. But I don't see it that way. On this site I feel fully connected to the game and love every minute of it. The thought of life without chess in it makes me shudder!

I think Chess is awesome in that it allows for a person to play beyond the usual retirement age for ordinary occupations. As for sporting occupations, I can't think of anything that a great player could do for a longer period of time and be either the best or among the very best.
Wii bowling?
If you need help, please contact our Help and Support team.
Alot of people reach a point where other priorites take hold and they give up the game of chess. Do you think that day will come for you? If so when? I have been playing chess for 50 years so I don't see me every giving it up for good until i meet the grim reaper. What about you?