My Journey as a Deaf Chess Player

My Journey as a Deaf Chess Player

June 11, 2025

Being Deaf shapes how I move through the world, but it doesn’t limit where I can go. One of my most unexpected and rewarding paths has been my journey into the world of chess—a place where language isn’t always spoken, but where strategy, patience, and resilience speak volumes.

I never truly understood the game itself in my early years, but I often played with my dad and my uncle when I was around 5 to 7 years old. I always lost to them. One time, I was so into a game and when I lost to my dad, I threw the board away and pieces went into the air! Of course, that was disrespectful to the game—especially to my opponent, my dad! But I snapped. Something inside me was awakened, something I never recognized in my youth: the spirit of competition and the desire to learn how to win.

My journey with chess paused for a while until high school, during my years at the Tennessee School for the Deaf (2002-2006). One of our teachers loved chess and hosted a small tournament just for fun. There were only a few students like me who enjoyed the game. I lost in the very first round to a trash-talking opponent who eventually won the tournament. But I also found a rival who finished in second place and who was my best friend for many years. We played several games, and while I got better, I never managed to beat him. Once again, I stopped playing—this time for maybe two years.

Then something amazing happened. I met my chess mentor, Thorjborn Skaug (https://ratings.fide.com/profile/1516450 and https://www.facebook.com/FredriksstadSchakselskap/posts/1045631622578789/?_rdr). I want to honor his memory here. I met him in Norway and he introduced me to his community. I stayed with him for a month. I watched him play games and he taught me as much as he could. Thorjborn believed that anyone could learn and play chess well—even a Deaf individual like me. He taught me the basics and some strategic concepts. Our time was short, but it was transformative.

After that, I found my passion again and dared myself to test my progress by playing my dad again—the first time since I was 7 years old. I was now 20. Thirteen years later, the rematch happened. This time, I could “see” the board so much better than before. And before long, I crushed my dad. I was (and still am) the best chess player in my whole family. I defeated them all—without a single loss or draw. Yet, I still feel it’s not enough. I want more—more challenges, more growth, and stronger opponents. I realized then that my mentor was truly a great teacher.

Later, I met up with my old rival and seized the opportunity to play him. I defeated him, too. I felt an incredible motivation to learn even more and wanted one day to defeat my mentor. But I had no real opportunities to continue developing my skills, and once again, I stopped playing.

A few years later, around 2010, I met a Deaf Ukrainian who claimed to be a former teen chess club champion. We played a very close game. At the end, he blundered his queen, which allowed me to win! That was the last game I played for a long time, despite my love for the game.

Fast forward to 2019. I reunited with my mentor, Thorjborn, in Hong Kong. It was a shame that we had lost contact over the years, even though he had once been my father-in-law. I never really saw him as a “dad” but more as a friend and mentor. He asked me to play chess with him, and of course, I said yes. We played more and more, and things started to come back to me. It had been 9 years, but I remembered principles and strategies.

Eventually, I finally defeated him. In one month, we played 32 games. I won 8, lost 2, and we drew 22 times. It felt amazing to beat my mentor, and he was so proud of me. He even shared his true ratings (FIDE) with me for the first time. His FIDE rating was 1600s at the end of his life. His highest rating was 1700s. He reminded me that ratings are just numbers and that I shouldn’t let them distract me. I agreed. What mattered most was focusing on how to learn and defeat opponents with the tools and insight I had.

We had many conversations about chess at that time. I asked him who the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of chess was. He gave me a few names (including his favorite – Magnus Carlsen, he met him once!) but ultimately said he believed it was Bobby Fischer. He said Fischer struck differently than anyone else. Those are the kinds of memories and teachings I will forever value.

A year later, he died. I regretted that we never recorded any of our 100+ games—not even one. But they live on in my memories. Especially one game—my first win against him. It was the best one.

After returning to the U.S., I didn’t play chess again until March 2025. My previous marriage lacked support and understanding for my love of chess. I was often discouraged from going out to enjoy my hobby, and over time, I ended up forgetting chess almost entirely. Eventually, I divorced—due to many reasons (It was one of the best decisions I have made). Not long after, I met a former student of mine, fell in love with her, and married Kendyl in 2022. She changed my world. She encouraged me to rediscover my passions and interests, helping me feel like a new man. Slowly, chess began to return to my life—but there were still no real opportunities. Then, in March 2025, my oldest son asked me to play. That moment reignited my passion, and I swore to myself that I would play chess until I couldn’t move my arms. I’m incredibly thankful to my wife, Kendyl, who fully supports my love for the game.

I found a local club (Johnson City) near home and started attending. It was my second time visiting and playing. My current goal is to reach a 2000 Elo rating. Some have estimated me to be between 1600-1800 Elo. Honestly, I don’t know for sure. My Elo here (Chess.com) is much lower, probably because I often play on my phone with my five beloved kids running around and distracting me. (chuckle)

This is my first blog, and more are on the way. The next one will be about Deaf chess players and my research into their contributions to the game.

Thank you, Thorjborn. Thank you, Kendyl <3. And thank you to my son for bringing chess back into my life.
 
Stay tuned for Blog #2!