Chess as a Training Ground for Patience and Resilience
At age 7, one of the earliest memories I have of chess is playing with my elementary school classmates... and winning! Playing ever since!
USCF National Master
I've achieved the title of National Master (NM) from the United States Chess Federation in July 2025, representing years of dedication, strategic thinking, and competitive excellence.
Skills Developed Through Chess
Core competencies that translate beyond the board
Strategic Thinking
Planning multiple moves ahead
Helped me build long-term roadmaps for FocusMate and plan Puddletown programs that create lasting impact.
Pressure Management
Staying calm under time constraints
Essential for balancing school deadlines, tournament organization, and startup development without burning out.
Decision Making
Choosing the best move with incomplete information
Critical for making product decisions at FocusMate and leading Puddletown when I don't have all the answers.
Learning from Losses
Analyzing mistakes to improve
Taught me to iterate on FocusMate features and improve Puddletown programs by studying what didn't work.
Humility
Recognizing that mistakes happen despite preparation
Keeps me grounded as a founder and leader, helping me stay open to feedback and continuous learning.
Teaching Others
Growing the game through mentorship
Directly shaped how I mentor students at Puddletown and share leadership lessons in my book and podcasts.
Winning the CFS tournament at age 9 (2017) and celebrating with my brother Neev!
Select Chess Accomplishments
Notable achievements and milestones
Varsity Captain – Won First Place Team at the Oregon High School Championship
Achieved USCF National Master (NM) title
1st place at Oregon State Invitational Championship – Challengers section
Team Captain and won First Place for Stoller Middle School at State team championship
2nd place – OSCF State Championship – Middle School Platinum
Co-Champion – Oregon Closed Invitational (Challengers section)
Winner of Oregon State Middle School Championship, and represented Oregon in the Barber National Middle School Championships
Team Captain and won First Place for Jacob Wismer Elementary School at State team championship 3 years in a row
Lessons Chess Taught Me
Core principles that guide my approach to leadership
Focus over distraction
Enables deep work on FocusMate features and sustained attention during school exams and Puddletown planning.
Planning instead of reacting
Helps me structure Puddletown programs proactively and build FocusMate with clear product roadmaps.
Losing with accountability
Taught me to own mistakes in startup decisions and nonprofit leadership, turning failures into learning opportunities.
Winning with humility
Keeps me grounded when FocusMate milestones are reached or Puddletown programs succeed—success is a team effort.
Teaching others to grow the game
Shaped my approach to mentoring at Puddletown and sharing leadership insights through my book and conversations.
Many skills I use today as a student leader and founder were developed across a chessboard.
Chess continues to shape how I think, lead, and build, teaching me that every move matters and preparation is everything.