I play on FICS via the iChessHD app on the iPad , which has a number of annoying bugs but suffices for my needs (ie. Get a ranked online chess game for free, a

I play on FICS via the iChessHD app on the iPad , which has a number of annoying bugs but suffices for my needs (ie. Get a ranked online chess game for free, any time of day, with control over the time parameters). When I first got the iPad I wasted loads of time playing 15 30 games which took the best part of an hour, then I switched to 2 7 'speed' game which don't feel very rushed anymore, and only take 5 mins or so. I'm an average player among people who play regularly, although when i was a kid I always beat my friends. I don't have the patience to learn extensive opening theory, but sometimes I like to tell myself I surprise more experienced players with my unorthodox tactics and inventive responses... I'm interested in chess as 1. A sort of daily 'brain-training' task to sharpen up 2. Finding ways and strategies for beating people who are much more skilled 3. Highlighting blind spots and flaws in my thinking (and others') 4. Improving visualisation/memory (for instance nowadays I find it easier and easier to remember entire boards/positions and analyse them in my head. As you might have guessed, I condsider these skills to be transferrable to programming.