WildRaven

I started playing chess about 1971, when Bobby Fischer was setting the chess world on fire. After all these years, my passion and love for the game has not dimmed, but only intensified.

Speed chess is not the best variant of the game, but I play it because it's fast and exciting (and addictive unfortunately). Still, however, I do not advise a diet of pure speed chess as it erodes depth of visualization, patience and creative possibility.

I was 2004 Montana State Champion; won in final round vs. perennial state champion 'The Octopus,' needing a full point for the title. He bragged to others that I'd take his early draw offer and simply hand him the title. How disappointed he must have been that I didn't.

Chess is a wonderful game; I have gotten revved up a bit over the years due to the intense nature of the competition, and perhaps overcompetitiveness. Sorry about that.

"Chess, like music, like love, has the power to make men happy."

I have created my own opening lines in many cases, though they may be known, I found them rather than looked them up. There is too much reliance on data bases these days.

When you ain't got nothing, you ain't got nothing to lose

He who isn't busy being born is busy dying.

Ongoing reports over the years of the demise of the King's Gambit were pretty much premature. It has positional aspects that are redeeming.

Chess never becomes boring or repetitive; novel positions arise within a dozen moves much of the time even at the top level. It is amazing in this respect.