Checkmate

Bobby Fischer (1943-2008) on a November 1971 cover of Life magazine.

Chess legend James Robert "Bobby" Fischer was born 68 years ago today in Chicago, Illinois. For many, even those who don't play the competitive board game, Bobby Fischer's name is a household word, almost synonymous with the challenging contest. 

My husband was captain of his high school chess team. He also played baseball and football (in case you were wondering if I married a nerd).

Our sweet boy, in the 5th grade, contemplating his next move.

Our son loves chess, too. He has been playing on and off for about 6 years.  He has just recently become serious about improving his skills and competing.  

Consequently, I've learned a bit about the game including that it has its origins in 6th century Persia and that there is a movement to make chess an Olympic event (though summer or winter, I'm not quite sure).  I've become familiar with words like "castle" and "Grandmaster" too.

Would you think less of me if I admitted that I lack the powers of concentration and the cognitive, problem-solving, numerical and spatial skills among others, to be any good at chess?  I am more of a Connect Four, Mancala and UNO girl.  But I can still appreciate the genius of Bobby Fischer and the men in my life who  enjoy the game of chess.