FYI: I learned to play “at” chess at the tender age of 14, but not having a set of my own, I was hampered when I tried to play with someone who knew more than I did.
When I married Igor, he insisted I play with him. So for nine years, I played chess with him. For nine years I lost every game. Then one day....we played and I won. He was so astonished he said, “I don’t believe it! You couldn’t have won!”
So we played another. I won it. He said, “That was FLUKE! Let’s play again!”
So we did. And bless my soul, I won that game as well. His response? “You cheated! It’s the only way you could have won this game!!”
He never factored in the idea that in all of those nine years, I was watching and learning. He never again asked me to play chess.
My grandfather used to cheat at cribbage. I figured it out eventually.
I'll play chess with you. It won't bother me if you win.
I always learned more from people who were better at the game than I was.
Of course, you must realize that to me, it is not merely a game.
This, madame, is war. (The civilized kind of war, where refreshments can be served.)