I've been getting a bit better lately- but still merit the appellation "fish."

The term "Fish," according to this article:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpa...

... refers to a "Patzer or and Easy Mark." That be me.

Fischer himself was known to employ the term when refering to his opponents. He, the Fischer, caught "Fish."

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/...

I'd like to say that my OTB rating is decent (~1800 USCF) but frequent blunders, passive play in superior positions, not taking lower-rated players seriously enough, and a constitutional inability to maintain focus at important moments have prevented my obvious innate talent and deep learning from being fully reflected by my numerical score. <You too??>

Along with chess, I am an avid amateur astronomer, insane bicyclist, budding triathlete, discerning moviegoer, music buyer, scattershot concert attendee, low-budget gourmand, underweight weight lifter, habitual worrier, and world traveler. More time could be devoted to chess if my other hobbies didn't get in the way. Sadly, I am also an overly enthusiastic devotee of slumber- requiring an inconvenient 8 hours in order to function at an mental level greater than that of the average grouper.

I'm from Columbus, Ohio... (a less soul-sucking place than you would imagine)

I'm generally reluctant to pick a favorite player, but, if pushed against a wall and forced to cough up a name, I'd have to say "David Bronstein". Amongst today's crop I have really enjoyed watching Nakamura's and Nigel Short's games when they're on fire. They're both pretty boring when they're not, though. Of Lev Aronian and (recent) Carlsen, I have to say that I prefer to watch Aronian's games. Carlsen is amazing, of course- Karpov-like- but Aronian's games are more fun.

I play a few times per week on Playchess.com or ICC or Chess24 mostly 5 minutes blitz games, though I enjoy classic time control OTB the most (I suck at blitz, BTW.) I do a lot of Tactical puzzles on Chesstempo.com, but it doesn't seem to be doing me any good.

I am past president of the 200+ member Columbus Astronomical Society (I left the room and the rest was history...) and proud owner of a back-breaking 18-inch Obsession telescope and much more manageable, homemade 8-incher affectionately known as "Cannon".

I am happily married to a lovely wife who, for the most part, allows me to indulge my hobbies...

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My Forum

As a "Fish", I am a connoisseur of bad chess games. As such, I propose a chess forum dedicated to the "fish" in all of us. Post your most embarrassing moments, your horrible blunders, that slow frittering away of a significant advantage, or simply that moment in your chess life that you'd rather forget.