I was born in 1936 in Paterson, New Jersey. By the time this site goes live, I’ll be 90 years old. That’s right, 90. I’m creating this site to share a lifetime of experiences with the game of chess.

I was introduced to chess at the age of 14 by my best friend, Hank. At first, the game felt more like an interruption than a passion. Every day, Hank would beg me to play. I would refuse. He would insist. Eventually, we struck a bargain: I agreed to play two games a day, one with White, one with Black, and then we would “go out.”

Before long, I was winning most of our games. We were both Explorer Scouts in the same troop when our scoutmaster announced a chess tournament open to all members. Each player would play two games per day, and the highest score at the end would determine the winner.

So… who won?

Not me.

It was Hank.

He beat me in both of our games and lost only once, to a player we both usually defeated. I finished a disappointing second. A photograph from that day appeared in a Paterson newspaper, showing us in our Scout uniforms receiving our trophies. It was my first real encounter with Caïssa, the goddess of chess—and my first lesson in humility.

As the years passed, Hank gave up the game, but I continued. I joined the Philidor Chess Club of Paterson as its youngest member—and quickly became one of its strongest players. I later played on the “B” team of the Marshall Chess Club, competing against teams throughout the New York area. I entered local tournaments and eventually earned an Expert rating from the New Jersey Chess Federation.

In 1960, I competed in the United States Amateur Chess Championship in Asbury Park. I came within an ace of winning it, scoring 6½ out of 7. A player named Leslie Ault scored the same, but I finished third on tiebreaks. It was the first time the event was won with a perfect score. Leslie would go on to become a world-class player and author several well-known books, including The Genesis of Power Chess, one of my favorites.

In January 1961, I entered the New Jersey State Championship but failed to finish with an even score. Realizing the difficulty of reaching the very top level, I stepped away from competitive chess.

But I never stopped loving the game.

In 1975, I learned that the World Open Tournament was being held at the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan. I wondered if I could still compete at that level. I told myself I’d be satisfied with a score of 4½ out of 9, but I had to find out. So I took the plunge.

I entered the final round with 5 points out of 8. And who was my opponent?

None other than Leslie Ault.

I had the White pieces and opened with 1.e4, “best by test.” Leslie replied with 1…e6, the French Defense. Content with my standing and willing to draw, I steered the game into the Exchange Variation and simplified whenever possible, “chopping wood” at every opportunity. When the position grew quiet and balanced, I offered a draw. Leslie accepted.

Five and a half out of nine, against world-class competition, I was happier than a clam.

I haven’t played over-the-board chess since, though I still play online from time to time, more for enjoyment than competition. Today, my goal is to use this site to help other players improve. I’ll be offering advice, often with the help of chess engines, but also with a critical eye.

Because the “best” move suggested by an engine is not always the best move for a human player.

My philosophy is simple: understand your own strengths and limitations, and play within them. That’s how real improvement, and real satisfaction comes in chess.