IM Justin Sarkar - high functioning autism, 4 GM norms, still chasing the FIDE 2500 requirement.

I’m a quiet presence at tournaments. I listen more than I speak, and two-way post-mortems can be difficult for me. Thank you for understanding.

A key discovery lies in the power of a quick, kind greeting to another. Unlike a customary handshake with an opponent, it’s unforced - and because every minute during a tournament is precious, taking time to acknowledge another player means even more. Not easy for me (or others?) to do - this practice is new relative to how long I’ve been playing.

My greeting style in the chess world is very structured: always to one person at a time and never randomly or to a group. It works best when I know their name beforehand, address them directly, say my own name, and keep it brief. Too much talk before a game can hurt focus but a clean, simple greeting can help.

If you play in person and are curious to try this, consider briefly greeting one new person before you sit down at the board to play your game.

Remembering names and faces makes these small interactions meaningful. Younger players in particular often respond well when you acknowledge them, wish them well, and then step back.

A trick to walking away satisfied without talking more is to focus on one part of a greeting that you enjoy - I like saying my name or offering a quick congrats.

I live an hour and a half from the historic Marshall Chess Club, where I get plenty of chances to play.

GMJustin5