Chess

Off and on I have played chess since I was a child. I don't remember who first taught me to play, now I wish I could remember so that I could thank them.
It is one of those things that I think will stay with me, a hobby that I absolutely enjoy every time I play and though I take breaks from playing, (months and even years) I always come back to the game.
Right now I am playing online correspondence chess using the GameKnot website (www.gameknot.com) but I have previously played Chessmaster and Fritz.
I find myself enjoying correspondence chess much more than the rapid fire games (especially Blitz); I only play one or two games at a time, really studying the position- both the history of moves as well as analysing (using Gameknot's 'Analyse board' feature) the various options for future moves... answering questions such as what move would I make if my opponent made this move or that move... each game being a suspensful journey, one to which I can't wait to see my opponents response.

I also enjoy how each move changes the game's future, if a choice of move is not made, that choice may no longer be available or appropriate for future moves. This then carves a story or a timeline - where multiple timelines exist - but only one can be made.

This therefore parallels life, where a decision, based on previous history, experience and future predictions are used to make a decision for the next 'move', an option pulled from the millions of choices available... well you get the idea.