March 2026: Progress You Can Trust

March wasn’t a perfect month.

There were strong wins, frustrating losses, and more time trouble than I’d like to admit. But when I step back and look at the full picture, this month represents something more important than clean results:

My chess is becoming consistent; and that’s what makes the progress real.

Performance Overview

This month, I reached a new peak rating of 1675 USCF Classical. More importantly, I maintained a high volume of over-the-board games, primarily through quads and classical events at the Columbia Chess Club.

This wasn’t a month where I dominated my opposition. Instead, it was a month filled with competitive, hard-fought games; often against the same familiar opponents. Many of these games were messy, double-edged, and decided not by perfect play, but by practical decisions under pressure. In many ways, that made the progress feel more meaningful.

Training & Preparation

One of the biggest positives this month is that my training structure continues to hold up under real tournament conditions.

I’ve been meeting weekly with FM Mees van Osch, where we review my classical games and focus heavily on positional understanding and decision-making. The emphasis is not on memorizing lines, but on improving how I think during games. That shift is starting to show up over the board.

My study routine has remained intentionally simple and consistent. I focus on one primary opening for White and one for Black, along with structured work in endgames, positional play, and tactics. My tactics training follows a Woodpecker-style repetition approach, and my Chessable work has been steady and productive. Rather than rushing through material, I’ve focused on retention and application, which feels like it’s paying off.

In terms of playing, I’ve continued prioritizing real games; mostly over the board, supplemented by online games against human opponents. Moving away from bots and toward real resistance has made a noticeable difference in how I handle practical positions.

Lifestyle Factors

Outside of chess, I’ve continued working on improving my baseline habits. I’ve been more mindful about hydration, sleep, and diet, although there’s still room for improvement in all three areas.

I’ve also maintained a consistent nootropics routine, including a daily vitamin with omega-3, ashwagandha, and lion’s mane. While it’s difficult to measure the exact impact, I do feel more focused during both study sessions and tournament games.

The biggest gap in my routine right now is exercise. That’s something I believe would have a meaningful impact on both my energy levels and overall performance, and it’s an area I plan to address moving forward.

Game Themes & Lessons

A defining feature of this month was the number of repeated matchups, particularly against players like Chace Nguyen and Thomas Kemp Jr. These games created a dynamic where familiarity played a role, but each encounter still required fresh decisions. The positions were rarely clean, and most games became practical battles where both sides had chances.

I faced the Italian Game several times as Black. While I’m not deeply theoretical in these positions, I found that the structures suit my style well. The positions tend to be logical and flexible, while still offering dynamic opportunities. That said, it’s clear that a deeper understanding of these setups would be beneficial.

One of the most encouraging developments this month has been my growing confidence in the endgame. In particular, my win against Neil Noronha stood out as a game where I remained patient, avoided unnecessary complications, and trusted that steady improvement would eventually lead to a result. That kind of approach is something I’ve been working toward, and it’s starting to feel more natural.

At the same time, time trouble was a recurring issue throughout the month. It affected multiple games, including positions that were winning, equal, or defensible. In one case, I flagged while my opponent still had a significant amount of time remaining. This isn’t a gap in knowledge—it’s a limitation in decision-making efficiency, and it’s likely the biggest factor holding me back right now.

Another important lesson came from a loss where I had to step away mid-game to handle a Tournament Director responsibility. When I returned, I wasn’t fully focused, and after making one mistake, I failed to reset mentally. That led to a quick collapse. It reinforced the importance of maintaining composure and being able to reset, even after interruptions or errors.

I also had a game where I committed to an attack that appeared promising but wasn’t objectively sound. I overlooked a key defensive resource and missed an opportunity to stabilize the position. This highlighted a current weakness in my game; distinguishing between attacks that are genuinely strong and those that only appear convincing at first glance.

Several games followed a similar pattern: I would reach a strong or promising position, but fail to convert due to time pressure or hesitation. While frustrating, this is actually a positive sign. It suggests that my ability to reach good positions is improving, even if my conversion still needs work.

What’s Improving

Over the course of the month, I’ve noticed clear progress in several areas. My resilience has improved, and I’m handling difficult positions better than I was even a few months ago. I feel more comfortable in endgames, more stable in my overall performance, and more capable of making practical decisions over the board.

Perhaps most importantly, I’m not necessarily seeing more ideas; but I’m handling the ones I do see with greater confidence and clarity.

What Still Needs Work

At the same time, there are still clear areas for improvement. My calculation can be inconsistent, especially in complex positions. Time management remains a major issue, and my ability to reset mentally after mistakes is not yet where it needs to be. Additionally, my lack of physical exercise is likely impacting both my stamina and focus during longer games.

A Defining Moment

One Quad Night event in particular captured the essence of the month. Over the course of the event, I played a long, grinding win, followed it with a sharp loss, and then bounced back with a strong victory against Thomas Kemp Jr. That final win pushed me to my new peak rating of 1675.

It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was consistent and resilient; and that’s what mattered.

Big Picture Progress

Since October, I’ve improved from around 1300 to 1675. That kind of progress isn’t the result of luck or a short-term surge. It’s the result of structured training, consistent effort, and showing up week after week.

Looking Ahead

The next milestone is clear: 1700 USCF.

Reaching it doesn’t require a complete overhaul of my approach. It requires refinement. If I can improve my time management, maintain consistency, and continue building on my current system, that goal is well within reach.

Final Reflection

March wasn’t a highlight reel.

It was something better.

It was proof that the process is working, that the improvement is sustainable, and that I’m moving in the right direction.

If I can continue stacking months like this,

1700 is not a question of if; it’s a question of when.