WHEN I WAS A KID

When I was a kid, I loved to play chess.  I learned the game at the local parks in Norwood.  They had summer programs where kids could learn all kinds of things - good and bad.

I became pretty good at chess for my age (latter elementary years).  I started reading books about it and played with a few friends often.

Chess had become an international phenomena in the 1950's and 1960's.  World championships were widely publicized.  They went on for weeks.

A Russian named Boris Spassky was the reigning champion for several years.  He was challenged in the early 60's by an enigmatic young American named Bobby Fischer.  The local newspaper would publish all the moves in their matches.  I would cut them out of the paper to study and save them

I joined the chess club in high school.  I went to one meeting.  It was attended by a bunch of geeks.  I never went back and seldom played after that.  Now I haven't played for many years.

*o*