[Vautrin]

As some of you know, I am a reasonable chess player. Not the greatest, although I did manage to score a draw against a real GrandMaster in a rapid game. A good amateur, but nothing more.

I am a member of a small club of about 27 or so members. And I used to play with quite a bit of pleasure, but that has lessened this year. Mostly through bad communication from the guys who hold the official positions in the club (secretary, treasurer etc).

People getting angry over nothing, making false accusations. Add in a bit of back stabbing, and you can imagine how joyful it is to be playing there. Add in a few people with inflated egos and a person who is a career-wrecker (no matter where he works, he creates more conflict than he solves), and it becomes obvious how futile any attempt would be to try and make amends.

It has gotten so bad, that a relatively large number of people are quitting, including me. I have never been through something like that. It is a first for me.

It is so sad. It was the only club I have played for in my life. I started there when I was 11, and now I am 26. I hate closing this chapter. But I must.

So next Thursday I will be playing my last official chess game of this season, which ends in May. * sigh *

Hopefully I will be a bit less stressed in the future, and I hope I can spend the time where it counts. With my gf online, and here at Lifesupporters.