A step closer to 1000 – here’s a small moment from my chess journey.
As of today, I’m sitting at 887 on Lichess. It might not sound like much to a seasoned player, but to me, it feels like real progress. I’ve been playing a lot during the Easter break—both grinding games and watching others play, trying to soak up ideas, learn patterns, and just get better. And you know what? It’s starting to pay off. Last night, I had a game that made me feel like I’m really moving forward. My opponent was slightly higher rated—892—but I managed to play a solid Sicilian as Black and take the win.
https://lichess.org/bJscX6PC/black
A few moments from the game that stood out to me:
Move 4... d5: I felt proud going for the center like that. It showed confidence and actually paid off.
The queenside pressure: After my opponent castled kingside, I just kept pushing on the queenside. Trading down into a better endgame felt like the right call.
The final combo: 49...Rg1# – finishing the game with a checkmate always feels good. That’s the kind of ending I dreamt about when I first started!
My rating ticked up by just 6 points, but those 6 felt earned. I know 1000 is still a bit away, but I can feel it getting closer. Every game I play, win or lose, teaches me something. And more importantly—I’m enjoying the ride. Long term, I’ve got my eyes set on 1500. That’s the dream. But for now, 1000 is my next checkpoint, and every move I play is a step toward it. Thanks for reading, and if you’re also grinding through the 800s like me—keep going. We’ll get there.
