Chess

I first had an experience of playing chess, aged 14, at my alma mater of Saint Macartans College,  boys' secondary school, in Co. Monaghan. Mr McEneaney's room was home to the chess club at lunch time. I took time out of my smoking to investigate the club once. After the layout of the board and abstract 'how to' was outlined to me I was roundly trounced by some upstart and was sent on my way.

The second time was more recent. Joe Coll visited me (guest article?), here, at Bad Segerberg, with, among other things, a chess board (with pieces, and thanks again). His thinking was, that I might take up the game, now that I have sooooo much time. I didn't disappoint you Joseph. My colleague, Dirk Laube, then suggested the crucial, for any beginner, Chess.com.  My chess career, i'm proud to report, is well and truly up and running.

I have Claire for physical games and chess.com to sharpen my sword. I am only, for now, playing against the computer (one can play online competitively), on the absolute beginner level of 1. I'm hooked. When I'm in a group of people, I'm suspicious of anyone standing, or sitting, at the knight move (for example) away from capturing me. So, basically everyone.

When I get out of here I plan to offer my services as a weekend volunteer, to Schoen Klinik for a start, to teach the basic setup and rules to patients. I also plan to join my local, Bergedorf, chess club. In both these ventures I hope to improve my chess and conversational German, not to mention, in the Schoen Klinik case, pure altruism.

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