Chess has been a hobby of mine since childhood — and the story behind it is quite interesting. On my birthday, my cousin gifted me a chessboard, unaware that my father was proficient in the game himself, though he had never mentioned it to me. That chessboard changed everything.

My father began teaching me. Like any beginner, I lost continuity early on. When I turned 10, I started assisting him in his transportation business, gradually taking on more responsibility as I grew older.

During one of his trips out of town, he entrusted me with managing things — and that proved to be a turning point in more ways than one. I began playing chess with one of the truck drivers who happened to be exceptionally skilled at the game.

Eventually, I expressed my desire to compete in the district chess championship. My father supported the decision. In that tournament, I secured 4th position at the district level — and that marked the true beginning of my journey in competitive chess.

Since then, I have been consistently participating in tournaments, striving to improve with every game. That same drive — to learn, to grow, to compete — is what I now bring to every student I coach.