The player behind the username

Hi everyone!

Believe it or not, it has taken me almost two years to realise I could run a blog here. I love writing just as much as playing chess, so I should give it an opportunity, don't you think?

According to my stats, I have played over 1000 games since joining Chess.com in February 2022. I am sure many of them are worth an analysis, yet I will use my first ever post to introduce myself and answer a question some of my rivals have asked me-where is my avatar picture from?

My name is Jaime, I am from Barcelona (Spain) and I live in Oxford (United Kingdom) since 2015. I play chess roughly since I was 10, mostly for pleasure. I believe everything began on Christmas Day 2002 (again, roughly) when there was a chess board and a set of pieces waiting for me under the tree. Once unwrapped, my father would teach me all the fundamentals and play against me every now and then. He also bought me a book as I developed further interest. Later in time, I realised chess was a serious hobby in my dad's family side because my uncle (his brother) also plays. That it would pass down to the next generation (me, my brother and my younger cousins) seemed more than obvious.

As a result, every family meeting between all of us involves playing chess until we cannot cope anymore. These usually take place Sabiote, at my grandparents' house. Sabiote, which is my father's birthplace, is a lovely village situated in the Andalucia region of Spain. Its most representative landmark is its 13th century castle which attracts many visitors every year-some of them, in fact, are chess players who compete in the yearly Open tournament hosted there. The local chess club is also very active. 

It is clear then that passion for chess ignited in Sabiote. Therefore, it was fair paying a tribute when I joined the marvellous Chess.com community.

Still want to know more about it? Then check this out! 

Thank you very much for reading it! See you on the tables.