My love for the game of chess began when I was in the second grade. My parents had enrolled me in an after school chess program that taught elementary school children how to play. I tried to become as versatile a player as I could be, learning all of the various openings and strategies. At the end of my elementary school years, I became one of the top players in the program, and I felt unstoppable. At the end of my final year, I challenged my five year teacher, Francisco, to a game of chess. Francisco smiled, nodded his head, and set up a board.
My adrenaline was peaking, yet my nerves were calm. "How about we make this a little more interesting?" Francisco asked. He then got up from the table, picked up his back and sifted through his belongings to find a dark cloth. He tied the clock around his eyes and said, "If you win, I'll buy you an Ice cream. But if I win, you have to buy me an ice cream."
I had never seen anything like it, who would try to play a game of chess without being able to see? Obviously I agreed, and we began. He played the queens gambit. D4, D5, C4. After each of my moves, I would read out the notation to him, and after each of his, he would tell me what he wished to move.
I lost. But I had the greatest smile on my face. I bought him his ice cream, and told him that I would become a better player the next time we played.
Most Fridays, I come back to the chess club, and help the students with their games. And at the end of every class, Francisco and I will play a game, and I will lose. But with each loss, my love for the game strengthens and I know that one day, if I work really hard, I will be as great of a player as Francisco.
My adrenaline was peaking, yet my nerves were calm. "How about we make this a little more interesting?" Francisco asked. He then got up from the table, picked up his back and sifted through his belongings to find a dark cloth. He tied the clock around his eyes and said, "If you win, I'll buy you an Ice cream. But if I win, you have to buy me an ice cream."
I had never seen anything like it, who would try to play a game of chess without being able to see? Obviously I agreed, and we began. He played the queens gambit. D4, D5, C4. After each of my moves, I would read out the notation to him, and after each of his, he would tell me what he wished to move.
I lost. But I had the greatest smile on my face. I bought him his ice cream, and told him that I would become a better player the next time we played.
Most Fridays, I come back to the chess club, and help the students with their games. And at the end of every class, Francisco and I will play a game, and I will lose. But with each loss, my love for the game strengthens and I know that one day, if I work really hard, I will be as great of a player as Francisco.
