By Jonathan Platt, Operations Intern
Although I am by no means a chess grandmaster, I do enjoy the strategic and calculated nature of the game. 
In daily life, decision making and time management are crucial. Chess forces one to make calculated decisions, often looking multiple moves ahead, in the face of a ticking clock. Evidently, one can take the fundamental skills of chess and apply it to one’s own daily life. For example, as an International Baccalaureate (IB) student who must juggle academics, athletics, and extracurriculars, time management and decision making are crucial. Like there is finite time on the clock while playing chess, there is only 24 hours in a day, highlighting the importance of maximizing one’s time. Although sometimes there is nothing more that I would love to do than scroll through TikTok, I realize the necessity of looking a “few moves ahead”, like doing homework instead. Thus, by maximizing my time and making thoughtful decisions I have set myself up for success, which could range from academic success to even little things like being able to get a little bit more sleep. Ultimately, with a forward thinking mindset one is able to not only succeed in chess, but in life.