Earlier quoted context omitted.
I had a similar experience. I was a strong contender for the US West amateur championship for a few years. But once I got good enough to spend most of my thinking time on positional concerns things stopped being a game and started being a huge database to memorize. I would spend my free time analyzing my games for weaknesses in my strategy, and practiced speed problem solving using giant books of tactical problems. E…
Yeah, basically there's a point where you come to an ultimatum: "Do I want chess to be my life?" and we chose no -- simple as that. And it seems we're both happy we took that path! :)
Hmm, I was content to show agreement simply by up-voting your comment, then I realized that was an anonymous action. So publicly, +1 to your comment, you hit it right on the nail.