2020-07-20

International Chess Day 2020

Chess Set    
When I was a child I enjoyed chess. A period of my life had me thinking I was a full-fledged aficionado due to the indulgence of my parents with teaching chess sets that showed the moves and pamphlets containing instructionals with various tactics thrown into the mix.

I dare say the allure became lost upon me over the years to the point that I actually remember my last two chess games.

They were with my Navy buddy, the late Jerry R Landry from Barnstable, MA and we had two games because the first was a definite draw ... as was the second most likely.

I never played another game since that time which was something circa 1978 or so in the missile radar control room while we were out at sea on either a North Atlantic or Mediterranean.

I would not have played those games had Jerry not requested it and the blinding boredom with which we both were obviously stricken.

Anyway, I'd give anything to be able to sit with him and play yet a third game and laugh and yap as we did during the first two.

Today is International Chess Day. It is observed each July 20 which marks the founding of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded in 1924.

Though I doubt I shall ever engage another game of chess in my lifetime. Those times from my childhood and the games I played with my friend Jerry are precious memories for me in this now of my existence.