My name is Anushka Kolli and I am 15 years old. When I was young, I tried many things but my attention span was too short to learn anything. I had a hard time focusing at school as my imaginative mind was always wandering. That's when my parents introduced me to the Chess hoping it would improve my ability to focus and concentrate. Little did they know that I would be instantly mesmerized by the amazing world of chess and get immersed into it for years to come. Seven years later, today I am now an accomplished player and coach with several recognitions both at state and national level. Success did not come easy to me as my “opening” was rough. Chess is a male dominated game and it took a lot of effort on my part, a coach who believed in me, and my fellow players who constantly supported me, to get to this point. At school, I was mocked for playing a boy’s game and ignored by my own, but as time passed, I began to gain their admiration and support. I started doing better in studies as chess taught me focus, patience, and being calm. As my “middle game” improved, I realized it is all about making choices. Once you make a move, you can’t undo it. Life is no different. Most importantly, the game taught me to think and plan ahead which improved my strategic thinking. Whether I am deciding courses at high school or planning a weekend study/activities, I started being very strategic and methodical about everything that I do. In Chess, after the second move, there are a billion combinations and I am constantly fascinated by how those billions of neurons in my brain are playing their part while I am playing a simple game. In the recent years, I have a developed a passion to study and understand our human brain and am determined to pursue Medicine (Neuroscience) when I go for higher studies. My “end game” is to start giving back which is why I have been teaching chess after school for the past two years. Last year, I started Mavericks chess club to coach elementary and middle school students free of charge. Today, I have about 20 students and some of them aspire to be professional players like me. I feel extremely blessed and privileged that I am able to make a meaningful impact in other people lives. I am forever grateful for it. Chess made me who I am today. Without Chess, my personality, my actions, and my social group wouldn’t be the same. Chess is not just a board game. Chess is not just a mind war. Chess is life; and my life is Chess!!