Brian

Brian’s passion for chess is real.

You can see his interest in the game as he talks with focus about the most recent Magnus Carlsen match he watched that morning. “And he moved his king around to the other side of the queen as his opponent developed all their pieces, as if he were toying with him,” Brian explains, gesturing with his hands as though he’s moving small pieces on an invisible board.

“I learned to play chess in high school at 15,” he states. He saw a friend playing chess in class and thought he could easily beat him, until they actually played, and his friend won. In spite of the loss, it didn’t deter him from progressing or from making chess a lifelong interest.

Nowadays, Brian likes to play positional games. At the age of 68, going on 69, he prefers to play over the board. When asked why, he says, “I find a group of people with the same level or interest. I enjoy talking through games.” When asked if he has advice for someone new walking into the club for the first time, he concludes, “You’re either competitive or casual, pick a path.”

Brian and his passion for the game of chess is an added bonus to the club and all its members.