2022-07-20

International Chess Day 2022

    Wooden Chess Set
I recall when I was nine years old I got my first chess set. It was a board and plastic pieces as well as another annotated board with cardboard squares having a picture of the piece and arrows to show the various moves allowed.

I immersed myself and played the game for quite a few of my younger years prior to setting the game aside for other pursuits.

The last chess game I played was circa 1979 in the missile radar control room aboard the USS MacDonough (DDG-39) with my late navy buddy, Jerry R Landry who worked the missile house.

We played about an hour or so and ended up with a draw. I'd do anything to play another game with him but this will never happen.

Today is International Chess Day. It was proclaimed by the General Assembly and recognizes the establishment of the International Chess Federation.

While many celebrate both the game and the day, I have fallen to the background and really don't have any chess pursuits anymore. It's all a part of an earlier place and time for me.

We evolve and change over the course of our existence. Such is life.