JustinTime4GM

I have high functioning autism. This profile will touch upon my interpersonal communication challenges, my personal discovery and how I'm able to give something to the chess community with my approach... without coaching. I often struggle to discuss a game I just played or saw, but am sharing my journey in the hopes to inspire others or help them to understand me better.

I've been playing chess for over 3 decades but only recently discovered how much I love to give or receive brief friendly greetings - without talking very much. I particularly enjoy greeting younger players... I feel young at heart. In an authentic manner, I say my name and congratulate or wish the person well before a chess game. As an introvert who used to be quite shy, this works great for me. I believe my true self comes out more through these little greetings and being a "man of few words".

While being lucky in many ways, I struggle with the basic question of how I plan to make ends meet. Overcoming my challenges with autism is no small feat... it's a wide spectrum - we all have our own challenges and support needs. Know the person (and know thyself). My "magic pill" or tranquilizer consists of brief friendly greetings to youth. If a new greeting has enough context, it feels great... there's usually less context outside of the chess world. With a rising number of young players I have continued opportunities to greet more people, keep an eye out for their progress and congratulate them in the future on great results. This way I can give a small gift and be in their corners - without even teaching. I just focus on briefly greeting or congratulating... generally no longer conversations.

Due to my condition and unconventional study habits, I find it hard to teach much at the moment yet am working around this obstacle by giving in other ways to a new generation of rising talents - taking interest in their results. My focus on briefly greeting or congratulating others (while mostly not conversing) is like a drug. It can soothe the soul. 2024 was a strong year of chess and improved results for me, under handicaps. Hopefully 2025 will be even better. In person tournament play is a privilege... I live about an hour and a half away from the world famous Marshall Chess Club located in Greenwich Village, NYC, where I'm a member and get many chances to play in person. My friendly greetings so far seem to have made an impact on a number of younger players, parents or coaches.

Another reason I don't seek to converse much, despite being a detailed writer, is because I'm behind with a big project of storing games played throughout my chess career. One day I may write a book.

The joy in giving brief greetings was a key discovery because my written messages are typically long. My response rate to brief, friendly in person greetings is better and they provide a sense of purpose.

As for my chess, I have as many as 4 GM norms but never made ELO 2500. I've played thousands of games and almost every opening variation at least once. Not the best speed player, but I play things like Titled Tuesday and US Chess Blitz/Rapids to practice and experiment. Thank you for reading this.

In conclusion, the main thing I'm doing to improve is unrelated to chess but requires a chess playing atmosphere. This personal touch of proactively greeting new faces is my "new wine in an old bottle".