I used to play quite a lot too. I think the thing that stopped me was the realisation that to get really good, you have to memorise openings and responses to openings. If you don&#x27;t, you&#x27;ll be working from a disadvantage from the start (if you play someone who knows the opening responses).<p>My favourite bit was always the middle-game - fun through pure invention and strategy that can&#x27;t be laid out in a book for memorisation because of the almost infinite possibilities!<p>I really the book &quot;My 60 Memorable Games&quot; by Bobby Fischer- it really gave you an insight into a great players&#x27; thinking: