He'd learned to play chess in the army, to still the rattle and flashes of gunfire and bombs in the night. He still, when given the choice, chose to play black. "For the bad guys," he'd laugh.

He lived alone for nearly two decades since his wife of many years had died. No children checked up on his daily routines and habits. His son would fly in for a visit between Christmas and New Year's. All by himself; he didn't bring his wife and family.

The old man didn't mind, he told his son that he understood.