My History with Chess

I couldn't tell you how old I was when I first started playing chess. Like a lot of people, I learned from my dad. I don't have many memories of playing that early on. What I remember most from the early years is playing battle chess on our old IBM computer.

Around middle school, I started finding games at our local library. They had a chess club there that met on Tuesdays. Although calling it a chess club is generous. There were 4, sometimes 5 of us that met up to play. One other member was my best friend, who was also my age. The other two were in their 40s at the time, and much stronger players.

While this might not seem like a great environment for fostering chess, I wouldn't have the love of the game I do not if not for it. The adult players that came to that club, Al & Ray, loved to teach and explain the game. Not only that, they had a great sense of humor. Making the game fun is probably what kept us coming back to play.

Playing in School

Al had two children that went to the same grade school I did. My friend and I asked him if he would be willing to help us start a chess club there. As a kid, I didn't realize how big of an ask that actually was. Looking back, it was super generous of him to donate his time. Through the club at school, we got introduced to competitive play. That's when I played in my first tournaments. I loved it. It was in one of those tournaments I got my first rating, a modest 852.

After grade school, life seemed to get in the way of the game. Unfortunately my high school didn't have a club. I would play the game here and there. A couple times in high school. A friend in college would play once in a while. And in recent years I would meet up once in a while with the old hometown club members to play.

The Pandemic

As it did for most people, COVID changed my life drastically. I was fortunate enough to have a job that allowed me to work from home. But without the commute, the gym, and hanging out with friends less, I found myself with much more time.

I started seeing chatter of people online talking about playing chess. I played a couple times online as a kid. But at the time with slow internet speeds and low quality pages, it was hard to keep my attention. Chesscom was a whole new world. Not only for its great interface for gameplay. But also all its resources for learning more about the game.

From there, I also discovered chess on twitch. First by watching Hikaru. Then with events like pogchamps and the candidates tournament, I discovered something new. Chess wasn't just a game. It was a whole world in which every aspect I found entertaining.

Where I am Going From Here

I have played a lot online over the past two years. As part of getting immersed in the chess culture, I have learned of the #ChessPunks movement. If you haven't come across the hashtag, it's used by adult chess improvers when sharing their stories online.

Like my situation, they were all introduced to the game at some point early on. Life got in the way, and now they are back. They share their goals and progress online, and try provide each other support.

I intend to do the same with this blog. While in the past I focused on just playing the game. I am moving forward with the commitment to measurable improve my game. I will be working on puzzles, studying master games, playing in otb (over the board) tournaments, and analyzing games. I hope to share what I learn here, and use sharing my story to help keep me on track.

I hope you find my story helpful. If you are a member of the #chesspunk community, feel free to reach out. One of the best parts of chess I have found so far is the community that comes with it.