Ian Gold, retired Denver Broncos linebacker chess enthusiast, was my guest at the Nuggets' Family Chess Knight Nov. 30 at Pepsi Center. He talked to the audience about his passion for writing and his Web site: WhatAreKidsSaying.com.
Gold founded the site with his cousin, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings. It's designed for youngsters ages 7-18 to express themselves, as well as enhance literacy skills. There will be weekly contests in the categories of true stories, music lyrics, and poetry.
Gold learned how to play chess when he was 12 at the Boys and Girls Club of America in Ypsilanti, Mich. During the 2007-08 Football season, Gold says he was the chess king of the Broncos' locker room, but I'm not sure Dre Bly would agree. The two are as competitive on the chess board as they are on the field.
According to Gold, after he and Bly, the other more active chess players at Dove Valley, in order of chess strength, are Andre Hall, Champ Bailey and Selvin Young.
Gold says, "Football is based on strategy. The defense has to adapt or adjust to what the offense does. In Football, you are trying to get the guy with the ball; in chess, you are trying to get the king."
Here's the end of Bly's game with Reggie Rivers from Aug. 22, 2007.
INFOBOX
Bly
Rivers
Position after Rf1
Bly played . . . Nxc2 mate.
