Do you ever think about what playing chess on Internet really means?  It is actually mind boggling what technology has achieved over the last few years.  Chess brings us into contact with players from all over the world.  Never mind whether you speak and write English or are familiar with a whole range of other languages.  Chess transcends borders and politics...well....in most cases.  I am of the opinion that the more often you communicate with people from other countries, the more understanding is created.  Perhaps we are not so different after all.  Most of us have two arms, two legs, a head, a set of eyes and so on.  Contrary to popular opinion, our brains are not so different either. It is indeed not impossible to postulate that chess has brought people closer together world wide.  We chess players contribute in a very modest way toward world peace.

If everybody on this site uses a polite approach and communicates in a friendly fashion, you are setting the scene for a better chess playing environment.  I believe that chess.com is well on the way to achieving this.  I want to thank the webmaster and others who have set up this site and the many, many chess players who contribute by way of chess knowledge and socializing.

Below is a PhotoStory of the Dandenongs and surroundings.  It will give you some idea where we live.  I convey my sincere regards to every member of chess.com.