I used to be a fanatical chess player. I played constantly, and studied the game obsessively . Eventually I came across in third place in the University of South Florida chess tournament, defeating scores of other players.

Then one day, I just lost interest in competition. I didn't stop enjoying the game, and I didn't stop playing it, I just lost interest in winning. I don't know if it was because I became more mature, or because of some internal physical or mental change. But winning just didn't seem to matter any more. I continued playing for many years, but I played strictly for fun.

Maybe I just lost my competitive streak. I gave up on road racing as well. I still enjoyed driving fast, but beating the other guy just didn't matter all that much anymore. About that time I got into sailing, and even though I loved the sport and participated every opportunity I got, I never developed a taste for sailboat racing. Sailing was all about the triangle of sailor-boat-ocean. I didn't need anyone else.

Some of my friends noticed this, and wondered if maybe smoking weed had something to do with it. I still enjoyed the activity, I worked hard to improve my skills, I just lost the need to win, the competitive aspect.

Who knows? Maybe women are just as good as men at chess, they just are mentally (or physiologically) less addicted to winning.