idoitucan2

I was introduced to the game of chess at a very early age by my father, Lynn R. Armour.  I watched as he played game after game with local players. It was through his tutorship that I first set up the chessmen on the board correctly at the ripe old age of 16 months. Yes, months. That is still, remarkably, clearly in my memory. My dad passed away on January 1, 2000. He is still missed and remembered often. Lynn was a good chess player. He started learning the game while he was in a U.S. Army hospital over in the Pacific during the 2nd World War. After his release from the military, he joined and participated in Battle Creek Michigan's chess club for many years. He took the city championship repeatedly, and rose to Class A Champion in Michgian in the early 60's. Mentoring as club president and resident guru for many, he spred his knowledge and skill to whoever would accept the gems. He played chess matches with the other clubs, such as the nearby prison, in Jackson, MI, where he would play the top 20 tables... wining them all. Unfortunately, he withdrew from playing due to high blood pressure problems. In all the games we played together, I was able to only score ONE victory. I learned how to lose well, but also I know that giving up without putting up a good fight is the worst kind of loss. It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I started taking chess as a casual (no rush) study of joy. My 75th birthday is coming next summer. Chess is a wonderful game, it mirrors so many aspects of life, a challenge to stay alive, prosper, and be prepared to meet another battle... and so many, many other of life's parallels.