Share Your Favorite Chess Story

Happy Chess Day, everyone.

Tuesday July 20 is the International Chess Day and we want to ask you for your favorite chess story. This could be a particular memory, a story, an event, a game or whatever you want to share about your experience with chess. If it means something to you, we want to hear it. 

We award the best stories and might even share them to the rest of the world, if you want us to of course  

Read more about the International Chess Day over at go.chess.com/international-chess-day

Oh ok! Ty domino 

Ok true story this … about 18 years ago my children’s dad was playing chess with a couple of friends and I was sat watching them thinking I can do this. So I asked for a game - my first one - and got beat a few times.

Then after a few games I started getting the hang of it. I started winning a lot of games. At this point by Childrens dad stopped playing me and so I was forced to stop till I found the internet some 4 years later.

I joined a couple of chess sites then over the next year I found this site and I’ve been playing on and off ever since 😁

I think you forgot the pin  

@soleilpluviux the chess board isnt a stud farm

So my story begins 3 years ago on a very cold wet rainy morning. It takes place on the west coast of Ireland and involves one particular snake called KobraBytes.

I had a good nights rest even though i tossed about at times due to that dragging feeling in my stomach, not anxiety but not excitement but a feeling of anticipation. Why? Well the very next day i was to play in a local unrated OTB chess tournament. This would as it turns out be my first OTB tournament. Not knowing what to expect I did what any usual chess player would do and blast those EDM remixed tunes out those speakers on the way in the car to the tournament facility.

2 Bananas in i realised 1 would have probably been enough, not that i feared a potassium overload from 2 bananas but more the fact i was hoping i didn’t regurgitate this during the tournament. Anyway i digress, this story is not one of selected fruits or the satisfying of the needs of ones stomach. This is a story of sheer desperation, torment, hysteria and floods of tears.

As i arrived i noticed a security vehicle parked outside, i explained i was here for the chess tournament and with glee in my eyes thought he would reciprocate the same joy and interest and perhaps even make a POG face. Alas, though it was not to be. He simply replied “Okay”. I wished him a good day and went inside.

Upon entering my heart sank to see that this facility was dilapidated, not very well maintained and seemed older than the handed down slippers of family generations.

I overcame this disappointment by remembering i had a fruit pastille sweet in my pocket, it was ever so juicy and distracted me for a few moments.

So the next hour was very boring as it was registration, payment, waiting around drinking coffee watching others analyse chess positions they have played before, and yet not a single bongcloud opening in sight.

So the time then comes to start my first game, I take my seat expecting to be joined by another person perhaps in their late 20s early 30s or even some of the fine gents or ladies in their 60s. However nope, the pairings landed me with a 12 year old kid. Part of me hoped the first game would be an easy enough challenge to get settled in. I didnt know is this kid just starting off learning chess or is he one of these genius' on the road to GM kids. Turns out it was neither it was quite a balanced game and although i felt in control of it there were times i felt hmm, i could probably go for another banana.

So while my mind was occupied thinking about lunch and focusing also on my moves, i played a series of sacrificial moves. I mean to the poor kid it probably looked like i was sandbagging (very much frowned upon….don’t do it). However i was sacrificing my pieces strategically in order to gain quite a …. well……. im not one to brag but……. an awesome well calculated tactical position that was soon ready for the perfect execution.

Sadly, unbeknownst to myself my opponent thought he was an absolute POGGER and dominator of the game and life itself. He was the unstopable force and the unmovable object in his mind. Thinking he had destroyed my bishop, devoured my knight and obliterated my rook he was filled with so much hope, so much joy, so much confidence. He felt like a chess oracle and wielded a staff upon his throne.

As I contemplated which sandwich i would enjoy for lunch and whether i would have 1 or 2 gerkins in it i failed to read the absolute delight on my opponents face, I dramatically and confidently slammed out my series of consecutive chained forcing moves, utilising my dominant position to force my opponent into the corner of the board with no option, no escape, no counter-play. Move after move, Bang, Bang, Bang, now down to a mate in 1. The clock counting down. Me contemplating could i finish this mate in 1 with 22 mins left on the clock. I was confident i could. 

At this point it is a moment i will never forget. My 12 year old opponent, his head no longer held high, his joy no longer beaming. His head slowly slumping so deep between his shoulders. His smile now inverted, his face no longer a glow with the chess spirit. His face turns white, he buries his head in his hands slumped over the table. He raises his head slightly, his face now a deep red, his eyes filling with tears, no wait now no longer filling but streaming, streaming and streaming salty salty tears all over the chess board, he adjusts his glasses and tries to rub away the tears beneath, but the floods keep coming. A little whimper comes from the mouth. His mate on the table beside us turns his head to see the sorry state of his friend and looks at me like “What on earth did you do”??? I shrugged my shoulders to communicate that i simply played the game and was just wanting my sandwich soon.

My opponent now picks up his king……. Looks deep into the piece…….. twiddles it between both fingers , turns it sideways, slams it on the board in resignation and runs out of the room whaling and making noises that can only be described as that of a banshee.

Not sure what to do I did what any noble man must do at this point, I strutted my stuff as if walking down a catwalk as if moddeling a new hugo boss suit, stood in front of the arbitrator and exclaimed yes white won, thats 1-0, yeah you got that written down yeah 1-0. Great!!! Oh and umm by the way maybe someone could check on my opponent he left the room a little upset.

I went home that afternoon with one thing in mind and something that has stuck with me for the past 3 years. 2 bananas was enough, the 3rd one have just been too much.

It was the California Chess State tournament, and everyone in my family was brimming with excitement. My mom shoved some milk down my through, and we were off to the event. When we got there, I felt a monstrous rumble in my stomach, and I felt completely lopsided. Soon, the pairing was released, and by now, I had already vomited 2 times. I realized that the oranges and milk in my stomach were reacting, and to add to that, I was extremely motion sick. I went to the playing hall and glared at my 200 rated opponent USCF. I thought this would be the easiest win of my life. 

20 minutes later, I came rushing out of the hall crying. I couldn't believe I lost! Instead of focusing on the game, I was worried about my stomach. I rushed into the restroom and emptied all the undigested food. Now all I could do was wait.

I went back in later to play my second game against a 100 USCF. I thought, man, what a shame it would be if I lost this game too. But to my relief, I came out of the room grinning from ear to ear, after I had beaten my opponent in 6 moves and was the first one out of the hall. Unfortunately, though, my stomach hadn't calmed down. It got so bad, that I didn't even eat my favorite In n Out burger. I easily won my next 2 games, but in my 2nd one, I nearly blundered a fork but quickly saved it. 

Now the last game's pairing was out. I was 3/4 with an amazing score, but my digestive system was not in a positive mood. I was to play a 1,000 USCF with a perfect score. I nervously entered approached the board and took my seat. I adjusted my pieces and waited for my opponent. Out of the corner, a bulky tall kid came rushing towards my table. I begged for him not to be my opponent, but he sat in front of me and stared at me in my eyes. All I could see was hatred, as I was a obstacle in his path to possibly becoming the state champion.

We started our game, and I played a Guicco Piano e5 variation. We quickly entered a closed attacking position, and in the end, I came out victorious, in the endgame. I couldn't believe it, I had beaten a player 300 points higher than me! I rushed out with a massive grin on my face and hugged my mom and took praise from my fellow students. I realized that I played with passion rather than just playing with anger like my opponent, and the result lied before me.

With a score of 4/5, I came 9th in the whole state and received the biggest trophy of my life. Surprisingly, after the last game, my stomach felt much better, as my mind wasn't thinking about it for a long time. 
Now, 4 years later, I retrospect on that day and wish that it could play before my eyes once again. 

Happy Chess Day to everyone, and this was my little incident regarding chess.

My chess career started when a member of the local mouse chess club, challenged me to a best of three games. After tossing a coin to see who would start with the white pieces, which I won btw. The first game I won easily, after bamboozling the mouse with the notorious Woollensock gambit! ......the mouse called me a cheat ! 🙀..... so what started as friendly game of chess , soon ended in a fist fight ! ..........which I also won ! Lol 😹

One year at the National Open in Las Vegas former World Champion Anatoly Karpov gave a simul.  There were so many that wanted in that there was a lottery like drawing.  One young kid (figure about 700 strength) earned a spot and play started.  Anatoly quickly ended up a piece ahead and then played quite calmly and politely while bypassing crushing moves and instead giving the young kid a longer experience of playing a former World Champion and lasting further in the game than a number of much higher rated adults before finally resigning and having Anatoly sign his scoresheet.

Sounds juicy.  Please keep us posted if you decide to include it in your memoirs in the future

My friend Tom and I won many tournaments in Illinois and we were good friends.

One day he showed up at a tournament in Peoria.  But not to play!

He wanted to borrow$200 from me  I had a policy not to loan money to anyone. 

But I made an exception for my good friend Tom.

I never saw him again.  This years more than 40 some yeas ago....

I know he became a USCF master.

Around 1981, I was playing in a tournament in Charlotte, NC. On a free evening, Sammy Reshevsky was giving a simul. I didn't play in it but went to watch. Before the simul started, Reshevsky was standing there talking to one of his fans, who happened to be Cedric Maxwell, a starting forward for the Boston Celtics. Two things made the scene oddly humorous. First, Maxwell was 6' 8" tall, while Reshevsky would have to stand on his toes to reach 5'. You can imagine that the difference in size was striking. The second thing was that the great big guy was looking down in awe at the feisty little fellow. It was touching, as well as funny, to how thrilled a famous star like Maxwell was to meet the legendary Reshevsky.

Incidentally, in the 40 game simul, the 70 year old Reshevsky won 38, lost 0, and drew 2.

Speaking of my good friend Tom--when we played against each other we often drew. There was no agreement to draw but we were evenly matched and did not try very hard to win. We often won tournaments with 4 1/2 out of 5.

But one tournament I had a mini disaster and lost a game.

Tom had won all 4 games and was scheduled to play me in the 5th and last round. 

He was quite happy as he had White against me!  But I told him, I was going to try and win.

Then he was not happy at all. The tournament ended in a 3 way tie for first place with

4 out of 5.

Prior to a trip to the East Coast (USA), I had learned about the trash-talking street-chess hustlers who have made their name in Washington Square Park - NYC.  So, when I discovered that they were within walking distance of the hotel I booked, I was ecstatic that I could easily go to watch them play and maybe play a game or two.  

Plans were changed due to recent events and I thought it would be safer to go the Chess Forum (especially with my child in tow).  After checking out from the hotel, I moved the rental car to another parking garage and scored a space (not any easy task btw).  With about 1 hour of time max, we both rushed to the Chess Forum.  Yay!

To my dismay, it was closed...

Things were looking a bit bleak.  To have gone 3K miles to Manhattan, NYC and not be able to go to a Broadway play, nor Chess Forum - it was just a bit much.....Things were looking up when I discovered that Washington Square Park was very close by and that police were there to maintain peace.Without a chess set and no timer, how fortunate to come across a polite gentleman with a game ready to go!  Being a beginner, I knew I was no match for this opponent and I was thankful he gave his time.  As a cherry-on-top, after the game, he shared his background and his philosophy about chess. 

Chess pieces reflected in his glasses as he shared about his deep respect for the game, he was a magnificent soul and I am grateful for our conversation-it was truly a memorable experience.

A few weeks ago I entered a tournament. Whoever got 1st in each division would get to enter the nationals or whatever.

I attended the tournament just for fun and didn't really expect much from myself.

I played my first opponent around 15 minutes after I arrived. They made a few mistakes at times and eventually I won.

When the second round started, I blundered a pawn in the opening but didn't really make any bad mistakes after. We agreed for a draw because even though he was a pawn up he couldn't win.

When the third round started I played somebody that I have played and lost against. This time I put pressure on his king and eventually won.

For the 4th round I played against someone with 300 more rating points than I did. I won a pawn around the middlegame then traded my pieces to get to an endgame. I won with the pawn and advanced to the next round.

On the 5th round I played against someone that I have beaten many times so I felt confident that I would win. I won a pawn in the middle game again and went to the endgame. I won again with my final score being 4.5/5 and got 1st place in the tournament. I am now going to go to nationals in a few days. I don't expect much since my rating is only around 1000 and most others are much higher than me.

Congratulations on your result. Don't sell yourself short for the next event. You are obviously stronger than your rating. My advice, based on years of tournament experience, is to put ratings out of your mind when you approach each game. It's you and the board and the pieces. Be determined to play the best chess you can, and the rest will take care of itself. You might lose some -- we all do -- but it won't be from lack of fighting with confidence.

It wasn't very high stakes at all, and my favorite chess experience so far is probably my trip to my first classical tournament (I had played a 10-person, 3-round blitz tournament before) for thee Chicago Open, although I played in the U1200 section and did poorly despite being 1600. 

Anyways, my favorite story was simply for my school's spirit week in which the four high school classes competed in lots of events. I, played chess for my freshman class. I was rather terrible at the time, but I was very confident considering it is a small school and I was good enough yet to realize how bad I was, and how bad I still am. Anyways, I beat this senior who was a genius, albeit not at chess but he put up a good fight. Next, I played a cocky junior. He condescendingly tried to tell me which piece was the king, and which the queen, only to move the wrong one at about move 10~! Anyways, I beat him and when we shook hands, he squeezed very hard. I simply laughed as he did so, and he squeezed harder. I didn't mind. Finally, now that I had won the chess part, I go out of the room to talk about it with my class who was constructing something as part of one of the major events that classes worked on across the whole week. Apparently, one of the girls who was in the group, was his sister! (I was new to the school that year). I was thinking "crap" but she said, "Oh, it's fine, he was saying stuff like 'this cocky freshman thinks he's gonna win and is so good, I bet he sucks.'" Unfortunately, sophomore year COVID hit and Spirit week was different, so I did not get to feed my ego more, however thinking back on this small story always makes me smile, I hope it made you smile too!

At a high school activity night (introducing activities to the eighth graders that would be freshmen the following school year) I saw a 16xx high school player finish destroying another kid and ask if he wanted another game.  When the kid said he just get crushed again the 16xx player said he wouldn't look at the board but would just call out the moves.  At that point an incoming eighth grader and a parent had been coming up and the parent asked how he could be sure the opponent wouldn't be getting help if he wasn't looking at the board.  The 16xx player said "there's nobody in the building that can beat me".  Then the random(?) parent said "set them up" and the coach in the background just smiled and figured the 16xx needed the reality check of losing to the 2000+ parent that the coach recognized but his player did not.

When I was a 1300 or 1400, I played an 1800 in the first round of our city's championship back in the 1970's.  

I didn't know Opening Theory, didn't know what my opponent played as Black, so I did a double fianchetto!   

This totally befuddled my opponent and I won a miniature!  When we went over the game afterwards in the skittles.room, he was gracious while feeling immense disgust.  He asked me what kind of opening was that.  I told him I just.wanted to take him out of Book.  

Losing to someone rated 400 points below you in the 1st round caused him to think he was in bad form, and he withdrew from the tournament. 

I have no idea how I did in the tournament.  All I remember is the exquisite delight and pleasure of beating my first "A" rated player.as a 400+ point underdog.