One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced in my chess journey was overcoming a substantial rating drop and reaching a point where I felt stuck in my progress. In June 2022, I hit my peak USCF rating of 1883, which was a huge milestone for me. I felt proud of how far I had come and thought that I could break 1900 with a few tournaments. However, just a few months later, I found myself at a very low point with a rating of 1712, which was a dramatic drop of over 150 rating points in a short amount of time. This sudden drop was a tough blow. I know many chess players can also relate to the frustration of losing rating points rapidly, especially when you’re putting effort to improve. It was sad to think that I had backtracked on my progress despite my hard work. I went through periods of self-doubt where I wondered if I could ever get back to where I was before. But despite how tough that period was, I’ve learned multiple lessons from it. Chess, similar to many other activities, is a journey with ups and downs. Over time, my rating slowly started to rise again. I’ve managed to bring it back up to around 1800 USCF, and my ultimate goal is to reach 1900 and potentially further. Even though it will take hours of effort and hard work, I am determined to improve as a chess player.
I first got into chess because my mother signed me up for chess lessons when I was around 7 years old. I started competitive chess at 12, and I've gotten to love the game because of how complex positions can be. Although I first found it as a casual hobby, I realized that I truly enjoyed the calculation aspects of chess. I hope I can improve my chess skills and weaknesses through learning from experienced coaches. I strive to identify what I struggle with the most in chess and work hard to target those specific areas. I would like to gain a better understanding of different perspectives as people apply from all around the world. Being able to forge meaningful connections with girls who value the game as much as I do is essential to me. Since I have an interest in journalism and also chess journalism, I would like to write about my experiences and highlights from gaining valuable knowledge from top female chess players.
