I was raised half ninja, half pianist. I studied enough chess to improve twice. I learned to play in 96', and in 1997-98 I studied with GM Palatnik and a bit with his buddy GM Kaidonov. I got about a 1400 rating. I studied again in 2006-7 with an FM from Nashville, and got it to about 1870. I played chess those years. Then I got hooked on 1min blitz and started teaching (4th grade and below) chess classes. I lost my love and my patience for real chess games, and although I tried to play and continue teaching, I wasn't cut out for either. I'm no longer teaching, and I'm trying not to play bullet. When I quit--or at least said I did--suddenly I liked playing and studying again. So here I am. Back on chess.com.