<p>Here’s the gist of my most recent essay idea:
-A few years ago, I met a 12-year-old with Asperger’s at a chess tournament. At first, he really annoyed me, and he often did/said mean things to me (unintentionally, I later discovered). However, we started talking, and I discovered he was homeschooled–just like me, so I invited him to join my chess team.</p>
<p>-One day, I created a new chess opening and posted it online. My new team member read about it and latched onto it. Whenever we would play a game, he would beg me to play the opening. One day, a girl joined my chess team, and he introduced me like this: “This is [DiscipulusBonus], and he’s got a secret weapon” (referencing my opening, which she new nothing about). That was awkward, but it was only one of many embarrassing moments.</p>
<p>-Later, my mom received a call from the boy’s dad, and she said to me, “Thanks for being so nice to [name withheld]. I just talked to his dad, and apparently he really looks up to you and considers you his best friend.” This was shocking, to say the least; we had spent a little time together, but not very much, and frankly I thought it was kind of sad that I was his best friend. In response to this, I went online and did some research about autism spectrum disorder (trying to figure out how to make him comfortable/be a good best friend to him).</p>
<p>-Needless to say, some of the other kids at the chess tournaments mocked him, and one day I stood up to them. I’m not going to post the exact details here, as my response was rather pathetic, but I didn’t really care. I was glad that I was able to help him. Later, I taught him how to play the opening I invented, and he used it to beat the kids that had mocked him in an upcoming tournament. :)</p>
<p>Anyway, these ideas are really scattered, and I’m sure some parts won’t end up in my final essay. In general, though, what do you think about this topic?</p>
<p>EDIT: Holy cow. I just Googled my chess opening, and I found a really popular (and reputable) chess opening website links to my original blog post about it and lists some grandmaster games where people have recently used my opening. Wow.</p>