Deon Seng Personal Essay

Intro: Chess is primarily stereotyped as a game for nerds. It has been said that players who are into the game have a high IQ or higher level of thinking in order to play it correctly. This is not entirely true. I have been a part of Chess since I was in the tenth grade of high school, and I have personally experienced this wonderfully game. I was one of those individuals that thought, Chess is boring Chess is too complicated for me to play it Chess takes too long, and Im not great at thinking so much. Needless to say, once I began playing it and started developing my skill, chess became a part of my life, and viewed myself as a decent chess player. Beginning. Create background information about how I got interested in Chess (learning the game as well). Reflect on my experience as well as my initial thoughts on playing. (Chess is boring I cant be patient with my moves I dont understand the concepts and movesetc.) Include my first practice of the game. (When: 10th Grade afterschool, where: West Charlotte High School in F Building, why: Friends encouraged me to try it, and how I did: Lost quickly but really liked thinking of the game) Mention key events. (First time playing the coach of the Chess team, playing more in my junior year, starting to become familiar with the game and actually

helping others, going to my first chess tournament and playing officially, going to Chess States Tournament, going to National Tournament). Impact on me individually. (Gained confidence in myself, learned strategic value in every thing that I am involved in, realized the importance of the game and the lesson that it teaches that is commonly overlooked such as patience will allow plans to overcome adversity and building blocks lead to a better path of success). Details on the lessons. Mention the individuals that definitely guided me to this interest and explain how they all separately contributed.) Elaborate on the Nationals story

(Include the Chess Nationals story of course but definitely need to edit it). Good morning ladies and gentlemen of all ages. Welcome to Minneapolis, Minnesota and also welcome to the United States K-12 Chess Nationals Tournament, said the director of the US K-12 Chess Federation as he began his greeting. His short speech ended with We will begin shortly. The feeling of the environment in the room was breathtaking as it was clustered with chess players from across the United States of different ages and levels all in one room ready to compete. I could sense the anxiousness, the excitement, the nervousness, and most of all the confidence of every one of all the players that surrounded me. This was my first ever US Chess Nationals, and I was as nervous as I had ever been. I was extremely lucky to be in that hotel playing against individuals that were at a level in which I had never experienced before. It was my first year officially on the Chess Team for West Charlotte High School, but I am glad that I

was able to spend it with four of my closest friends as teammates: Cau, Santana, Hakiym, Gabon, and one of the best Chess coaches in Charlotte, NC: Spencer Singleton. It was these five individuals that introduced me to the game of Chess, and with all of their teaching, coaching, and increasing confidence in me, I was able to join the team and compete in a couple of tournaments. Having that said, no type of preparation seemed to get me mentally and emotionally ready for the Nationals. It was indeed the largest tournament of all, and we were able to travel to Minnesota, which was the first time for all of us. It just seemed surreal to be sitting in front of a board with the clock placed to my right set at one hour and thirty minutes for each person and being surrounded by some of the best players around. However, I was concerned. Initially, I could not gather myself together and remain focused. I dont know you guys. I feel so nervousthis may be too big for me, I said with a sigh. My teammates and coach were around me at a table, as we were getting ready for the first round. What do you mean Deon? You got this man. I believe in you, and we can do well as a team, replied Mr. Singleton as he could sense my low confidence and doubts. Yeah man we all got this dont stress too much just remember what we all learned. Take your time and keep your head in the game, said Santana as Hakiym and Cau nodded in agreement. I knew to take any advice from any of my fellow team members and use it as motivation since I was the least experienced out of the whole team, and they had been to the Nationals before and placed high in the rankings. Whatever happens in the first round will be something we cant change, but if we keep our minds right, we can absolutely improve from our mistakes or continue with what is working for us! Mr. Singleton said to us with reassurance and pride in his voice. That

small pep talk with my team definitely made me ease my mind and calm down. I looked around and stood up out of my chair before quickly placing my hand facedown in the space in between all of us. Okay everyone. We can do this! I shouted firmly with high confidence. Everyone joined in with a smile and we began walking to the seats in which we were placed for our specific matches. I was in the ratings of 700s, which is not that good, but it was due to my lack of experience and tournament games played. I grabbed my Chess notation book and pencil and sat down at my seat number while quickly looking across the chessboard. I could see that I was playing someone with a rating in the 1,100s. At that moment, I became strictly focused because I realized that this was going to be a tough match, but certainly not one that I could not handle. The director of the tournament walked up to the podium once more and began speaking again. He congratulated and thanked all of the chess players for making it to the event. My mind toned out his voice as I stared at the pieces sitting in front of me. I began strategizing and aiming for my goal of putting up a difficult game for my opponent. The last few sentences I heard from the speech were, Good luck to each and every one of you. No noises, distractions, coaches, or parents are now allowed in the room until the entire round has ended. Round one of the US Nationals has begun. I closed my eyes for a second with the room full of silence, took a deep breath and said Good luck to my opponent as we shook hands. Then, the silence was suddenly broken with the sound of clicking from the hundreds of clocks in the room as the matches were starting. The sense of reality of my first match in the US Chess Nationals finally kicked in as I pushed my pond to E4 and tapped on the clock.

The results of my first experience playing in a National Tournament How constantly losing mentally impacted me, but my teammates encouraged me.

This tournament changed my life because I ultimately realized the meaning of chess was not to just strategize and play the game, but to use its elements and foundations as a guide for the life that I live in. (Develop pieces, create a strong foundation, control the center).