I learned chess from a cousin when I was 11-12 years old. That was a long time ago and we used to play Indian chess (pawns move only one step and no castling). I played for nearly 3 years and then quit it, busy with school and studies. My chess fever was dormant, but not dead. It raged back in only recently, about 4 years ago. I became really good in between (probably touching 2000, but I never played a formal rated game or online then) and now dragging my way back up again.

For me, chess is a battle, not only of wits, but also of jugglery and magic. You have to fool your opponent into illusions and make-beliefs while yourself keeping a firm grip of what is real on the board and what is not!

Pikay