1996 “Gardner News” Article:

He's a master of the game
By MATT AUDETTE News Staff Writer

   Stephan Gerzadowicz has seen competition at its fiercest. He has run marathons, played in tennis tournaments and majored in physical education in college. But ask him what activity has given him his most grueling and grim battles and he'll give you a surprising answer — chess.
   Chess? That board game where people move around little figurines in hopes of capturing their opponents pieces? How on earth could that be?
   "Bobby Fischer (former chess great) was once asked what his favorite part of chess was. His an­swer was, 'When I watch the other guy's ego crumble,'" said Gerzadowicz. "I've run marathons and chess is more strenuous. The intensity, desire to win and competitiveness is greater."
   If anyone should know the trials and tribulations that are associated with the game of chess, it is Gerzadowicz. Since 1983, the 51-year-old East Templeton native has been a certified master of the game, and has, in his lifetime, participated in countless tournaments, as a player and director, and has been both the president of the Massachusetts Chess Association and the president of the New England Chess Association.
   He has played against some of the greatest minds in the game, and said at one time he was even ranked the 10th best chess player in the country.
   For Gerzadowicz, chess isn't just a game, it has become almost an obsession.
   A beautiful wooden chess board sits on the kitchen table of his home in East Templeton where he lives an almost Thoreau-like style of life, growing his own food, content with a lack of material possessions.
   "I probably live like him more than anyone you can imagine," he said, of the famous Transcendentalist writer and philosopher. "I don't want things or stuff, except for books."
   And if one wants more proof of Gerzadowicz's passion they need only to take a glance around the rooms of the house for other giveaway clues that are scattered about: various chess pieces of all shapes and sizes, countless books on the subject, a quilt hanging in his bedroom that is embroidered with an image of a chess game.
   It may be a cliché, but for Gerzadowicz, chess is indeed a way of life.
   "It's been so long. It seems like I've always been doing it," he said, trying to conjure up the memory of his first ever game. "My cousin taught me to play when I was 10 or 11. He beat me the first game, and then everyone went fishing. I was supposed to go, but I was fascinated by the game. He came back and I did this and this (moves around chess pieces on the board) and beat him in four moves."
   Even though Gerzadowicz began playing chess at an early age, it wasn't until he was 18 or 19 that he began to really become involved in the game, an age he points out is very late for someone to begin taking the game seriously.
   "I got a book on chess. It had never occurred to me that someone would write a book on it. I read it cover to cover. And when I was finished, I probably read it cover to cover again," he said.
   After that, things happened quick­ly for the chess master. Unfortu­nately it was a bad turn of events that happened around this time may be accountable for sharpening his playing skills. Gerzadowicz's mother suffered a stroke, and although she was able to be on her own, he felt as though he should stay and care for her.
It was during this time, he said, that he began to labor over the chessboard, eagerly trying to figure out all aspects of the game.
   He began reading magazines devoted to the subject, and soon after, began writing articles and submitting them. This began Gerzadowicz's writing career, which has spawned five books on the subject, the most recent just being published in July.
   The book, titled "Journal of a Chess Original" and published by Thinkers' Press, is written in typical Gerzadowicz style — which means simply not very typical at all.
   Gerzadowicz's offbeat style of writing has made his books favorites within the chess world, winning him praise from several chess masters, as well as opponents, from all around the world.
   "The book I received a few hours ago is, without a doubt, the most beautifully produced chess book I have ever seen ... I directed Mary that I wish it to be placed in my coffin, but while Mary agreed that it was a beautiful book, she did think that was a bit much!" wrote ICCF International Master Richard S. Callaghan Jr. concerning "Journal of a Chess Original," in a press release which accompanies the book.
   While many authors who write on the topic of chess keep their books dry and factual, Gerzadowicz spices his up with humor and famous quotations. Amid the countless games that he has painstakingly annotated, Gerzadowicz has sprinkled little humorous lessons on life and the game itself.
   "I annotate chess games, which is explain the moves and why they were done. Sort of like the color guy in a tennis match. But I try to put the book in a package. I try to be entertaining," he said. "I like to keep the guy reading. Chess books can often be dry and boring."
   A part of the book consists of articles previously published, although a good portion of it is annotations of games that he has recently played through "postal playing," a type of game where the two players only interact through correspondence. One player makes a move and mails it in writing to the other. The opponent receives the move, makes his deci­sion, and mails it back, and so on and so forth.
   If it sounds painstaking — well, it can be, but that is the style that Gerzadowicz has become most accustomed to playing.
   He pretty much gave up playing "over the board" style chess (which is the traditional style most are accustomed to) around 1977.
   "I may be better (in postal playing)," he said. "(Over the board) can get grim. It takes a lot. It is a battle. (Postal) is not so competitive. Maybe I am just too peaceful."