snits
Gerard Snitselaar
Phoenix, United States 
Member Since: Jun 6, 2008
Last Login: Jun 20, 2009
Profile Views: 1472
Points: 282
Status: back home and back to studying (2 months ago)
Birthday: Dec 26, 1971
Occupation: Software Engineer
USCF Rating: 1441
About Me:
I think the first time I saw a chess board was in the 5th grade.
The first time I played was a game against a girlfriend right after high school (a humiliating defeat).
I had been interested in chess and followed the game for quite a while, but I didn't get serious about playing and studying until January 2007. I played my first rated chess then and started with an illustrious rating of around 480. I ended the year at ~1200, and this past Spring jumped up to 1500. Until this past June I had lost only 1 game to a player rated lower than me, unfortunately the total now stands at 3. :(
I mainly play chess for enjoyment, and because I find beauty in the game, but my goal is to achieve the best level that I can. Unfortunately starting to play serious chess at 35 means it will be a long, hard road. The hope is that with 5-7 years of hard work I will achieve a NM title. My goal at the start of this year was to reach 1600, and I reached 1500 by June. I got busy with work over the Summer and early Fall, so I still have a bit of work to do to reach 1600 by the end of the year. I have been playing pretty good against B and A players this year though, so I am not worried if I achieve the rating or not for the year. The rating will get there in the near future, and as long as I play well my rating will improve.
Currently working through:
Master's of the Chess Board by Reti
Amateur's Mind by Silman
Silman's Complete Endgame Course
Understanding Chess Tactics by Weteschnik
Think Like a Grandmaster by Kotov