Steve where were you in the 1600s? Hah, just kidding. I'd love to play you in chess anytime. But if you're looking for strategy and focus, you should consider a Real Time Strategy online game, it adds some imagination to the mix. Another board game that is very hard to master is 'Go'. If you do take the route to 'study' openings, make sure to find the meaning behind each of them. Chess isn't a game you just memorize move sets and get good at.
You want to play a game tommorrow? Email
Andyoyo@startwo.net
Edit: Btw Your Articles & writing have helped a lot. 14 hours of editing a book, you sir are insane. Make sure to say where I can buy the book though