GMJustin5

I have high functioning autism. I can get myself around, write well and greatly value people contact, but often struggle to discuss a game or with other forms of live conversation. So if you face me over the board, please don't take it rudely if I don't say very much in a post-mortem analysis.

Always happy to be greeted, congratulated, or simply to be acknowledged if I reach out to you.

I have as many as 4 GM norms but never made ELO 2500. I've played thousands of games and try to play a game in almost every opening variation. I experiment with things like Titled Tuesday blitz... or US Chess Blitz/Rapids on a volunteer basis, but study in unique ways and am usually a slow player.

I've undertaken a mission to work around my autism challenges and give something to the chess community - without teaching much. In a nutshell, my mission is to greet a new person or two per day. I can do this only in the chess world, during face-to-face tournaments, as it's the best place to genuinely greet or congratulate somebody new - with no pressure on me to converse. Was fortunate to hit upon this discovery, which I hold close to my heart, and find a way to put it into practice during most in-person events that I play.

Consider this point: Chatting before playing a game does NOT help your mindset for the game, but briefly greeting someone new who may not expect it can help. Do you agree?