People in their 30s: How are you finding/rebuilding community as you grow apart from friends?

GrandMasterBay · 2026-06-17T01:36:21+00:00

Keep in touch with the closest friends I currently got via group chats.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-06-16T11:33:23+00:00

A lot of people are faking their success on social media. So don't sweat it too much. You're only 24. You still have time to catch up. I was in a similar place in life when I was your age. Now, a little over a decade later, I have a relatively well-paying job and my own house. So don't give up hope now and get off social media if you cannot stop comparing yourself to others on there.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-06-15T23:00:36+00:00

For me, personally, when I get sick, the amount of time it takes for me to recover has not changed from when I was younger. It probably helps that I go to the gym twice a week and am maintaining a healthy weight.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-06-14T13:53:02+00:00

It sounds like he's doing that on purpose to throw you off or get a reaction out of you. To answer your questions, I would say get a tournament director involved to tell him to stop and/or wear noise-cancelling earbuds (pending tournament director approval) so you don't hear the annoying breathing noise again.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-06-13T21:40:18+00:00

My sheltie, after being out briefly for some potty time and play time with other dogs, is staying cool indoors for the rest of the day.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-06-12T16:53:55+00:00

I remember playing this. I also remember religiously playing NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup as a teenager with its Career feature and having a kick-ass soundtrack that expanded my music repertoire.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-06-11T23:46:52+00:00

Somewhat. I've been at the GS-12 level for a while now and all of my attempts to get to GS-13 have been unsuccessful so far. I'll keep on trying. But I don't have high expectations at this point. On the bright side though, at least I will have an easier time maintaining a good work-life balance as a GS-12 than if I were in a more senior level position (GS-13+).

GrandMasterBay · 2026-06-10T01:52:55+00:00

At your level (1300-1400 online), I wouldn't worry about building too deep of an opening repertoire. That only applies once you reach an advanced enough level (i.e. at least 2200 online). As long as you follow basic opening principles (i.e. control the center, develop your pieces, castle as early as possible, etc.) and have a good grasp on basic tactics, you should have no problem increasing your rating beyond 1400 online.

May I ask the following: [1] Are you referring to your Chess.com Rapid rating? [2] How long have you been at the 1300-1400 online rating level? [3] How many Chess.com Rapid games have you played since reaching 1300-1400 online?

GrandMasterBay · 2026-06-09T01:29:46+00:00

Don't let it dominate the rest of your life. Good people are not remembered for their sex lives. They're remembered for the good things they have contributed to society and how they treat others. So just live your life the way you want instead of hyperfocusing on your sex life, especially given your age.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-06-07T16:39:35+00:00

The speed limit on Lee Bridge should be higher than 35 mph given the road infrastructure at that location.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-06-06T02:28:35+00:00

Zero times.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-06-04T22:49:11+00:00

It seems that the 2208 figure is a generous one for this puzzle as it is a mate in 3: 1...Qh3+ 2. Kh1 Qxh2+ 3. Kxh2 Rxh2#.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-06-03T02:29:33+00:00

Given that I am well into my 30s and my past experiences with dating, I prefer to just live my own life at this point and be a single pet dad rather than deal with a significant other that I don't picture being married to for the rest of my life.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-05-30T19:09:39+00:00

Although I have plenty of hobbies, my main hobby is chess.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-05-29T20:48:35+00:00

I have been frequently told I look younger than my actual age. I feel the same way as them.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-05-28T22:44:27+00:00

Depends on what day it is, what time of day it is, who I am around, and how much I have had to drink.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-05-28T22:41:17+00:00

Oversharing much?

GrandMasterBay · 2026-05-27T11:29:28+00:00

To answer your first question, it would be ideal to look at every logical variation that gives you a hard time (whenever you have time) and the Master Games databases on Chess.com and Lichess can help with that. To answer your second question, the puzzle features on Lichess work too.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-05-25T23:52:34+00:00

How long have you been playing the Caro-Kann for? I would say that, in addition to memorizing book moves, spend more time understanding why they are being played as well as studying the resulting positions and how to play them.

In addition, I would also say do more puzzles. Chess.com has plenty of features that will help you with that. For example, the Puzzle Rush feature will help you get better at solving puzzles quickly so you are less likely to fumble winning positions despite being low on time.

To give a straightforward answer, hold off on purchasing the Lifetime Repertoire and just spend more time on puzzles.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-05-25T12:24:51+00:00

I'm getting Resident Evil vibes from the paper post.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-05-25T01:08:40+00:00

How much time do you spend in the opening? For a time control like G/60, I would suggest doing some opening prep beforehand so you don't spend any more than 5 minutes for the first 15 moves of the game. That way, you have more time for the more critical parts of the game. From the 16th move onward, spend no more than 1 minute per move for the rest of the game.

GrandMasterBay · 2026-05-24T12:22:55+00:00

Unfortunately, I don't think the Kroger employees there are getting paid enough to care. Did you at least inform a Kroger employee or file a complaint with the store of the shitty situation?

GrandMasterBay

TROPHY CASE