I first learned the rules of Chess from my Step-Grandfather when I was six years old. I found the
game to be quite interesting and we'd play for many hours. I didn't take it seriously until the
November after I turned 21, one month after he died -horribly. I found out that there was an
intriguing system to the game and that thousands of books had been written on it. Now of course
the books that just prescribe specific moves are antithetical to my purpose for playing chess, but
there are a few gems that really take you through the ideas behind the moves.

   I love a challenge and basically anything that has a method and a purpose. That's why I spent
the next two years studying it for 10-16 hours per day. I solved problems in my sleep (just ask
Anna, she had to deal with me muttering the solutions at night), played many games
simultaneously, and even played blind folded. I defeated my first master after studying for only six
months.

   Before music, I competed in a few tournaments, but my social "defects" made it difficult to
ignore the idiosyncrasies of my opponents and focus on the games. I only attained a class B rating
of 1674 in the USCF. I did however face Fritz 8 and Shredder 8 (the world champions of chess
software that actually tied Garry Kasparov) in 6 hour games in my comfort zone (my grey room,
with dead silence in the house -due to the absence of human life, back in those days) and had
achieved a rating of 2471 (271 points above "National Master") against the daunting automatons.  
All that would have been left was to make it official by consistently performing at that level in
USCF competitions. My obsession with Chess, in the end, caused my hair to go straight overnight
and usher in a nervous breakdown of sorts shortly thereafter.   

   I did however, stay involved. An International Master that had seen me play at Hunter College
when I was only playing for a year, needed an additional teacher for his academy and contacted
me through a mutual friend. I must have made an impression. I immediately accepted his offer,
and spent 4 years as an instructor for the "Let's Play Chess Academy" on Fourth Ave, between 8th
and 9th street in Brooklyn.

   Chess is practice for living. It keeps the mind sharp and should be taught to everyone at a
young age. It helps instill in children the critical thinking skills necessary to functioning as well
rounded individuals, that truly grasp the concept of cause and effect. That's why I taught chess.
I'd like to think that my students will turn out better in life as a result of the work I did with them
and be proud of that. Just don't go too far, unless you're in the market for a straight-perm.

   I will be adding some of my games to this page for the chess enthusiast's review shortly.
Chess