Howard Goldowsky, MS '98

Hooked on chess

Howard Goldowsky, MS ’98, learned his first chess moves at 6.  He frequently watched his uncle and grandfather play the game, and eventually Goldowsky’s grandfather taught the youngster the names of the pieces and how they move.  But it wasn’t until later that Goldowsky became hooked on chess.  In eighth grade he and a friend spent the school year trying to figure out how to beat their teacher at a pencil and paper strategy game called Nim. When the students finally won, Goldowsky realized that chess would provide many of the same challenges and rewards as Nim.  “I think the primary thing that appeals to me about chess is its competitiveness,” says Goldowsky.  “There is also a certain spirituality to practicing every day and in trying to learn the different patterns that the pieces make, as well as in learning various strategies.  There is a lot of repetition to the game and it really teaches you to stay focused and to be disciplined.”  The Mt. Pleasant, NY native has been playing competitive chess for more than 20 years, and he recently published his first book, Engaging Pieces, a compilation of his writing in the field.

Practical Side 

Goldowsky majored in physics at Rensselear Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.  While working on his master’s thesis he realized that conducting research didn’t mesh very well with his personal interests.  “I didn’t like the fact that I was doing a lot of work and not getting any concrete results, such as making a product, or writing a program,” he explains.  “Research was more theoretical, and I enjoy the more practical side of things.”

At RPI, Goldowsky was a teaching assistant for a course with an engineering component, and he chose to pursue an engineering degree at UB because the school was both affordable and had a good reputation in the field.  “I was excited about going to UB,” Goldowsky notes.  “It was a welcome change for me and I really enjoyed my time there.  It was a positive experience overall.”  He became very involved in Hillel and in UB’s Chess Club, which met in the Student Union once a week and also traveled to tournaments.  The club was an active one, which is something Goldowsky says he is grateful for, because he made many good friends through the group.

Engaging Pieces

Goldowsky’s writing career actually began about 12 years ago when he started to read more frequently.  “I think many people who read a lot decide at some point that they need to start writing.  It is somewhat of a natural progression for people who like to read,” he notes.  Goldowsky joined writers’ groups to develop his skills and, not surprisingly, decided to write primarily about chess.  He has since published interviews, articles, and prose pieces in magazines such as Chess Life and Chess Café.

Goldowsky says that, in part, writing Engaging Pieces was necessary for his personal growth.  The book contains almost everything he has previously published in chess magazines, and it puts closure on the past 10 years, during which he largely focused on improving his writing.  Now he can turn his full attention to refining his chess game.  Married and the father of two young children, Goldowsky occasionally frequents a few chess clubs in the Boston area.  He says, “I think I am more serious about chess now than I ever have been before.  I try to dedicate myself to studying every night for an hour or two after my kids go to bed.”

Mental toughness

By day Goldowsky works for Lockheed Martin at the Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA.  He programs the ground systems for weather satellites and currently helps design a next generation satellite that will go up into space around 2012.  Since college, Goldowsky has been into personal fitness, particularly lifting weights and running.  In fact, he says that he came up with the title of his book while at the gym on the treadmill.  He has been back to Buffalo multiple times in the last few years to visit his brother who lives in the area.  The last trip included a stop at UB’s North Campus, where Goldowsky was happy to see that his favorite Chinese restaurant was still open in the Commons.

For now Goldowsky remains focused on honing his chess skills at the competitive level, but he has not ruled out another book.  “At some point I will definitely write about the process of trying to become a better player, which I think is a very fascinating topic.  Chess is a combination of psychology, spirituality, and, believe it or not, mental toughness.  There is also a sporting aspect.  Chess has a lot of complicated elements that you have to learn; there are many things that go into becoming a better player.  I like to call it a mental sport,” Goldowsky says.

Written by Jessica Dudek, BA ’94
January 2008

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