J in K, are you rated? "Once rated, always rated" U. S. Chess Federation. I was about a "C" class player when I quit tournament play. I was really just beginning to get good and my best game was over an expert rated player but then I looked at my level of involvement and time consumption and realized it would be my whole life and I would be doing well to have made Master at some distant point in the future (like about now) so I just play the occasional game but I can and do appreciate those with the gift and the dedication.

Here's a little trivia from the Chess World that touches all our lives. Back in the mid 70's there was a fellow, a millionaire who lived near Lone Pine California, a little south of Mt. Whitney, just off Highway 395 as it begins up toward Owens Valley. It's still a pretty desolate place but back then there wasn't even television. This fellow, in addition to being a millionaire, was a chess aficionado and he established The Lone Pine Chess Tournament with a $100,000 prized, the biggest of its day. It was held at his ranch which was several miles west of the tiny town of Lone Pine(restaurant, gas station and a store [great movie location, though]). Those who lost out in the early rounds didn't have much to do other than playing casual games of chess or reading from the gentleman's library.

He studied on the problem and with some help he built a 25' parabolic antenna which he aimed at the various television network satellites. Now here was entertainment. Not only did they now have TV but they also got all the non-scheduled stuff that the live, waiting cameras were picking up! Well, the idea caught on and you see where it has lead!

The Office of the Royal Exchequer stems directly from the noble game as doest the concept of the Cartesian plane. Chess has greatly benefited Mankind in many ways. A great game!