JustinTime4GM

I have high functioning autism. This revised 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, but am sharing my personal journey in the hopes to inspire you or help you to best understand me. Please enjoy.

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 feel young at heart and particularly enjoy greeting younger players. As an introvert who used to be quite shy, this works great for me. I believe my true self comes out more through these seemingly 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 secret is to avoid unnecessary conversations BUT focus on brief, kind gestures. A new greeting feels great if it has enough context... there's usually more context within 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, but I make time for others in case they want to show me or practice anything together.

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 plenty of chances to play in person. My friendly greetings so far seem to have impacted 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 working on a big project of storing games I 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 long and fancy! 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. My autism can handicap me in speed chess, but I experiment with things like Titled Tuesday and US Chess Blitz/Rapids. 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"