Chess

I learnt to play chees around the age of 6, but then never played again until the day I found a chess book in my father's library when I was around 8 years old. The book was "Kasparov Teachs Chess" by Gary Kasparov, and I was sure that after reading the book I would beat my father easily. The plan didn't work as expected as I lost my first game against him, however I did get clinched to the game. Seeing this my father bought me a couple of chess books and sign me for a chess tournament organized by the Autonomous University of Coahuila. I kept playing in the local tournaments and I participated in the state Youth Championships until finally In 1998, and later in 1999, I made it to the Mexican Youth National Chess Championship (under 18) finishing 9th and 11th respectively.

When I moved to Guanajuato to start my bachelor degree I left the game aside during the first couple of years, but then I came back to it with even more interest. In Guanajuato, unlike in my home city Saltillo, there were several official tournaments during the year and I got my first official FIDE Elo rating there. During that time I also made it to the University of Guanajuato team which allowed me to play in some other tournaments around the country, and allowed me to raise my Elo rating to 2208, enough to apply for the title of Candidate Master. At that time this rating put me among the top 50 mexican players.

After obtaining my bachelor degree I moved to San Diego where I haven't had the chance of playing an official game, and I have restricted my practice to some ocassional games online. I have focussed my time instead on my math research and on my family, which growed bigger with the arrive of my son in 2008.