I was born in Puerto Rico, where I learned chess at the early age of 4. During elementary school I continued to play and improve, learning from the Santana brothers and other amazing chess players on the island. We played at McDonald’s, at Ramey Base, and later on early chess websites like Chessmasters and others. I represented my high schools and played in many local tournaments.

At 17, I joined the U.S. military and served in both the Navy and Army with multiple combat deployments as a Navy Corpsman and later an Army Ranger. During my military years, chess stayed with me. I remember playing often while deployed to Kuwait and while stationed aboard the USS Kearsarge.

After the military, chess became more than a game. It helped me through periods of PTSD and depression and allowed me to connect with others through Chess.com and Lichess. I helped start a chess club at my daughter’s elementary school in Sacramento, and later, after moving to Jacksonville, I joined the Jacksonville Chess Club, assisted with summer camps, and became a Level 1 chess coach and arbiter.

Today I’m living in Chicago and finishing my fourth year of medical school. I enjoy playing whenever I can between studying, rotations, and life. I have an 18-year-old daughter in college and an amazing fiancée who keeps life balanced and meaningful.

I’m currently rediscovering chess tools like Chessable and waiting for my Chessnut Move board to arrive — excited to combine over-the-board feel with online play.

My rating goes up and down like a yo-yo because I often play rapid or bullet during study breaks and sometimes lose on time more than anything else 😄. I’m always happy to connect with fellow players, share stories, and learn together as we continue exploring this beautiful art and science.

KASPAROVCITO