Have you ever felt obsessed?

In my early twenties, I felt lost-with school, with relationships, with everything. At this critical moment in my life I discovered a new passion that gave me the direction I craved: the game of chess.

Could I reach the pinnacle of the game and become a chess grandmaster? This question drove me to immerse myself in the world of competitive chess, a community of incredible characters united by a shared love that transcends age and background. As my rating climbed and I grew closer to my goal, a disciplined practice blurred into a darker obsession as the game began to overshadow everything else in my life.

This story follows my journey as a young, ambitious chess player pursuing a lofty dream with single-minded focus. The highs and lows of battling some of the best players in the world mirror my internal struggle to manage my ambition to achieve greatness.

What does it truly take to become a chess grandmaster, and what cost was I willing to pay?