"He picked his book out by himself." she said to me, pointing at the darling little boy.
I hold up the book for beginners.
"You are going to learn how to play chess?" I ask him.
"No. The other one is for me." he solemnly says.
I look at the Bobby Fischer book and then at his grandmother.
"He wants the Bobby Fischer book?"
"Yes, He picked it out himself."
I studied this serious little guy for a minute.
"How old are you?" I ask.
"Four." He says. But he is a very very small four year old. I wish I had my camera but I did not, but to give you some idea, here is a photo I found on the web of a child approximately this little guy's size:
I ask, "Well, who is the beginner book for?"
"Me." Grandmother says, sheepishly. "I figure if he can learn so can I."
I ring up their books and ask the boy, "Are you familiar with Bobby Fischer?"
"Yeah. I like his moves."
"Which is your favorite move of his?"
He studies me for a second and I can see a twinkle in his eye.
"Winning." he answers.
"Mine too. "I tell him.
I don't know what you were doing at four years old, but I can promise you, I was not playing chess.
