Chess isn't always about winning. Sometimes, it is simply about learning and so is life ~ Anonymous
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Hi, I'm Brian.I am a currently in 11th grade, dual-enrolled at the Academies of Loudoun and Freedom High School. My journey into chess began at the age of seven when my father, despite not being a chess player himself, introduced me to the basics of the game. That same year, I participated in my first chess tournament, marking the start of a chess journey that spans both scholastic and adult tournaments.
To date, I have competed in tournaments across 15 states in the U.S. and six countries spanning four continents, including representing the United States in international events. These experiences have been both an honor and a privilege, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities. Traveling for chess has also allowed me to explore new places, which has been an enriching aspect of my journey. Chess has taught me invaluable life skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, sportsmanship, and the ability to learn from both victories and defeats. Like any competitive discipline, success in chess demands time, dedication, effort, and perseverance. Through this journey, I’ve experienced both epic wins and challenging losses, each contributing to my growth. As a contributing writer for US Chess, I was honored to be published in the July 2022 issue of Chess Life magazine for my article, "The Fighting Five," which covered the 2022 National Middle School Championship—an event I also competed in during my final year of middle school. In March 2024, I earned the title of USCF National Master (NM), the highest title awarded by the USCF, held by approximately 1% of rated players. In addition to my playing career, I am a certified USCF Tournament Director (TD) and have completed SafeSport certification and training. Beyond chess, my interests include FRC and FLL robotics (where I also serve as a mentor and coach to an FLL team), coding/programming competitions, Boy Scouts, mathematics, video games, solving rubik's cubes, swimming, and hiking. In February 2023, driven by my commitment to giving back to the community, I established a chess club at my local county library. Designed specifically for elementary and middle school students, the chess club attracts between 20~30 participants each week, all excited to learn and play chess. To this date, it's the only one of its kind in the county. Lastly, I have a unique fondness for durians, often referred to as the “king of fruits.” |
