Going for a Title at 30
In many sports, someone who is 30 is considered a senior citizen. However, unlike boxing or competitive pole dancing, my main tool is my mind and reaction time won't be the difference between survival and a concussion (bullet and blitz not included). Chess is a timeless game and one that you can only get better at. That being said, I will be going for a title and training starting...now.
So why now? Bear with me, I need to insert a prologue here. I played my first game of chess with my dad when I was 5. I played on and off until I was 10, when I found guitar and chose rock n roll over check and mate. Now I was no Bobby Fischer, Magnus Carlsen, Paul Morphy, or other gifted player. I didn't even know how to castle or the value of the pieces when I was that age. From the time I was 10 until I was 26, I was devoted purely to guitar and computer games. I would play chess from time to time with my dad, never winning or even gaining a draw. Eventually I left music to finish school and acquire gainful employment, where I wasn't paid in booze or pizza.
When I was 27, I found out that I was going to be a dad. Being a dad, which is awesome by the way, immediately became my pure focus. I used to read for amusement and work, now I was reading up on developmental psychology and how profoundly terrifying a baby being born is. Now, my brother in law is a phenomenal chess player and dad, and has a lot to do with me finding my true passion. He is an awesome player and one day mentioned that he would play chess on his phone and do puzzles when he had free time. I downloaded the chess.com app and immediately was drawn in.
I've played every day since I first signed up and have participated in, and crashed and burned, in many tournaments. I've read a few books and studied a bit, but never gave 100% of my attention like I could. I'm turning 30 in a few days, and I've determined that I'm going to go for an official title. I've found a coach, loaded up on books and study materials, and am working with people to be mentally and strategically to succeed. I want to prove to myself that I can do this, show that chess is a lifetime game for any age, and also show my son and family that anything is achievable.
So this is day 1. I will be posting blogs, mostly self-deprecatory and awesome. I will be honest, open, and truthful in my successes, failures, and progress.
Day 1
Daily Chess - 1081
Blitz - 877
Bullet - 1004
