Sheath

I learned to play chess when I was in the 7th grade by reading The Complete Chessplayer by Fred Reinfeld.  Growing up in rural Tennessee, this was enough of a chess education to enable me to be the best player in my school.  Unfortunately, those were the days long before internet, and I wasn't around players who were good enough to help me improve.  I have (mis)spent most of my life as a casual player.  For whatever reasons, in my early 50's my passion for the game has rekindled and I have devoted myself to making a serious effort at improvement.  My avatar is a photo of Alexander Alekhine, but it easily could pass for a photo of me when I was in my 30's.  It has fooled all my friends who have seen it.  I wish I looked less like Alekhine and played more like him!