So I'm trying to learn how to play chess. I've bought a ton of books, been reading all kinds of stuff on the web, etc. Andrea is in Buffalo this week, so I've been coming home and playing computer chess until I go to bed. Tonight I played a ton of games...against computer programs and against people online. I lost every single game. Even when I set the computer to play at the level of a kid with severe learning disabilities, it beat me. I thought I was getting fancy because I've reading about all the openings - Ruy Lopez, friggin Estonian Gambits, yada yada - but I'm horrible.

I've been eating really bad food too, and drinking beer. At least I'm not smoking I guess. But I'm really bad at chess.