In Eight Months to the National Open Chess Championships – My Chess Journey

Sometimes it only takes a small spark to ignite a passion. For me, it was the Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit”, which inspired me in November 2024 to start playing chess – at the age of 26, with no earlier training or tournament background.

How it all began

The series fascinated me so much that I thought: “Why not start something new as an adult?” Very soon, I realized that chess is much more than just a board game – it’s about strategy, patience, foresight, and concentration. This combination grabbed me instantly.

My road to Las Vegas

From the very beginning, I set myself the goal not just to play casually, but to really learn. I trained daily, studied games from grandmasters, read books, watched videos, and played as much as I could.

And so, just eight months later, in June 2025, I entered the National Open Chess Championships in Las Vegas – my very first major chess tournament. The event brought together over 1,000 players from around the world, many of them experienced competitors. The tournament was divided into categories, and I chose to compete in the Open section – where the strongest players face each other.

My experience at the tournament

I was one of only a few women in the field, and of course, it wasn’t easy. I had no international rating and was up against players who had been competing for years or even decades. My results were modest – but for me, that was never the main point.

My real goal was to gain experience, to see how such a big tournament works, and to learn from the best. And that’s exactly what I did. Every game was a lesson, every opponent an opportunity to grow.

Media attention

What also made me very happy was that my journey received attention beyond the chess world. Ultima Hora, the Mallorca Magazin, media outlets in South Korea, SWR3, and Radio Seefunk reported about me. That was extra motivation and a wonderful sign that my story inspired others as well.

Looking ahead

For me, this tournament was a huge experience that showed me how much I can still learn – and how exciting this path is. It was an honor to be there in Las Vegas and to face such strong players.

I’m taking a lot from this adventure, I’ll keep training with joy and discipline – and I plan to return to the National Open next year. This is just the beginning of a long journey, and I’m excited to see where it will lead me.