From Skipping Math Class to Winning Chess Trophies: My Journey !
Hello, Chess.com family! I’m Hritiq Charan from Tamil Nadu (but currently residing in Bihar due to my dad's job transfer) a high school student with a passion for chess , Today, I’d like to share how my unexpected journey with chess began — and how it has turned into a thrilling adventure.
How It All Began
It all started in a rather unusual way. I was never particularly interested in chess. In fact, my real goal was to escape my math teacher’s boring class! One day, our PT teacher asked for students who were interested in participating in chess tournaments. Although I had no idea how to play chess, I signed up just to get out of that math class.
To my surprise, I managed to qualify at the school level, even though I barely knew the rules! This accidental beginning led me to play in my first district-level tournament, where I placed 31st. It was a modest start, but it sparked something in me.
The Growing Passion
Soon, I found myself completely hooked on chess. What began as a way to avoid math became something I couldn’t stop thinking about. I started practicing more, learning new tactics, and diving into the wonderful world of chess.
My hard work paid off — I quickly gained Chess.com Elo of 1000, climbing from a humble 100 Elo start. I participated in another district tournament and managed to secure 3rd place, earning a trophy and two medals. That moment was a huge milestone for me, showing how far I had come from that math class escape.
Today and Beyond
Currently, I’m rated over 1300 on Chess.com and actively participated in district, FIDE, and state-level tournaments. Each game and each tournament teach me something new, and I’m determined to keep improving.
My next goal is to reach 2000 Elo, and I know it will take dedication and passion — two things I’ve come to embrace fully through chess.
Final Thoughts
Chess has changed my life in unexpected ways. What started as a way to dodge math has become a lifelong passion. I’m grateful for every game, every opponent, and every lesson learned on this journey.
If you’ve got a similar story or you’re working towards your own goals in chess, I’d love to hear about it! Let’s connect, play, and learn together.
Thanks for reading, and happy checkmating!
Hritiq Charan
