Lawrence: I had that book in the 1950s. What memories that brings back! And now I remember a magazine called Chess Review. I met the publisher, Al Horowitz in one of the chess clubs and he gave me an interview for a high school assignment to write a profile. I was afraid to play him because I would probably have lost. I hated losing. A little after that I started hanging out in Washington Square. I played for fun because I had no money to bet, and usually beat the hustler I played. My best friend's father was near a master. He used to play us at the same time. I think I beat him once. But I am still disturbed that I couldn't beat Asa Hoffman, who also was a near master, and played first board on the Horace Mann team where I was third board. They wanted me on the football team, I said "no, I prefer the chess team." We traveled to all the big name prep schools and usually, as a team, beat them. I was surely no Bobby Fisher. Asa, in case you are a pipesmoker please get in touch. Anyhow, it was time better spent than listening to the NY Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers baseball teams.My friend's father bought us real chess sets and boards. After that I carved chessmen out of Ivory soap bars.
I rejoined USCF and will play some email games to start.
