I'm 22 almost 23 birthday in feb!! I have a serious passion for chess, I used to make problems for my brother to solve using a board and the pieces I had. I was around 16 when I learned how to play. And ever since then well i have only gotten better. My motto for chess and I have tattoo'd on me. "to lose now is to win later"-experience. Not only does it evolve around chess but it revolves around life.. If u lose so many times ur either gonna quit or keep trying. In this case I kept trying I remember playing my teacher back in middle school and my dads best friend. I must have played Over 1000 games I lost a lil over 99.9% of those games. Idk why they kept playing me. In my opinion starting a game with someone weaker then yourself will only make u think to there level of strategy. If ur playing a ranked player of 1200.. Ur gonna play as what rank you are but ur not using ur brain the whole time thinking man. I wonder what's on tv or, did my other oppennent move his peiece yet? To me it's not worth it. No offense to everyone of lower rank then me but, sry it's just not worth my time. I play to be the best and I play to learn from the best. Atleast what I tell myself when I lose. U can master any opening. U just gotta stick with it and realize what ur flaws are. And what certain moves u need to keep in mind help u in certain situations When u lost. I joined uscf when I was 18. My mother bought my full year subscription. I didn't play in many tournaments. But I came in 2nd/20. 21st/50. And 15th out of 18. Hey! I have my bad moves like anyone else I just had alot that day. My first tournament paid for my membership. I was so happy! We aren't the richest of people but it felt good to give it back to my mom. I think that about sums it up. If u wanna challenge me. Be sure to go fast paced either 1/0 or 1/3. I can go slow but really 1 day for a single move Who needs that much time? I wish luck to everyone. Even if your against me. Hey! May the best brain win