My Chess History

File this in the "No one cares, bro" section. This is primarily for myself and as I'm making a more concerted effort in training and improvement, I thought it'd be helpful to track down as many "major events" in my chess-playing past.

A brief rundown of my chess playing history

SOMETIME 2002 High School, Sophomore Year - Saw Searching for Bobby Fischer, bought a chess set, a few books like Chess for Dummies, Josh Waitzkin's chess book, Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess (don't get this book), a handheld chess game, ChessMaster 4000 for PC (maybe 5000?), etc. I spent more time buying stuff and half-assedly using it than time on practicing and playing. Lost interest after less than a year and zero serious improvement aside from learning terminology and basic knowledge.

SOMETIME 2017 - For whatever reason, Facebook started putting chess videos in my news feed--usually GIFs of old famous games--and it reminded me how much I liked the game. I downloaded a bad app to play chess against a computer and a friend or two before finding r/chess, John Bartholomew, and eventually lichess.

OCT 2017 - Created lichess account. I remember playing that fall and winter but really slowing down in the spring and summer since I had other outdoor hobbies that took up a lot of time.

APR 2018 - I went to the St Louis Chess Club for the US championship. As mentioned, I slowed down quite a bit in the summer but it ramped up again in the fall.

AUG 2018 - Went to sinquefield cup. I think around this time, my chess interest started taking off quite a lot more. I started playing chess seriously this whole time now without taking breaks in the next summer.

APR 2019 - US Open again, by 2019, I'd say I was fully into chess as a major hobby

AUG 2019 - I went to Sinquefield cup yet again.

FEB 2020 - Started "Tuesday Knights" Tourney and joined USCF. I was able to play six rated games before COVID-19 put an end to that.

APR 2020 - Started trying to play a more focused repertoire as black: Caro and Slav. 

JUL 2020 - Completed 1001 Chess Exercises for Beginners in one day. Focused on doing tactics (nearly) every day since then.

SEP 2020 - Started 1001 Chess Exercises for Club Players

NOV 2020 - Switched black repertoire to Sicilian.

MAR 2021 - Played in first weekend OTB tournament; won 3/4 games, best finisher U1500 and tied for first in AMATEUR (U1800) section; rating jump to 1391. Also began focused work on Yusupov's Series of books.

JUL 2021 - 75 hours of deliberate chess study in one month.

AUG 2021 - Played 75 blitz/rapid games in one month

SEP 2021 - Reached 2500 puzzle rating on chess.com

SEP 2021 - Played in my second weekend OTB tournament (indy), won 4/5 games and tied for second in Novice (1300-1600) section. Rating up to 1509

NOV 2021 - Played in my third weekend OTB tournament (kansas), won 3/4 games, rating up to 1531 (still provisional, but highest ever)

JAN 2022 - Played in my fourth weekend OTB tournament (STLCC club championship), won 2/4 games, withdrew final round. Rating down to 1482

MAR 2022 - Played in my fifth weekend OTB tournament (Mid-America Open), played up a section, went 1 out of 4 and withdrew final round.

MAY 2022 - Played with the chesterfield group at mcdonalds. Lost and drew a game.

MAY 2022 - Played