I spend most of my spare time playing chess either online in chess.com and lichess or playing over the board with other players. I used to play some chess when I was about (if I recall correctly) 12 years old . My father was the one who taught me how to play and that's where I started. I used to participate in school tournaments casually. I didn't had any formal training in chess at that time. I just knew the basics and played whatever came to mind. Slowly, I started playing better and better and also I went to state level chess tournament from school but wasn't qualified for nationals :( . But then there was a phase where I just left playing chess for 2-3 years. But eventually I started to grow interest again when I was preparing for JEE. Earlier I didn't knew about the chess championships and different tournaments but then I started exploring more and learing theories etc. I watched some very nice chess content creators like Agadmator, ChessBase India, Hikaru Nakamura etc. Also I got more exposed to chess comminity watching Samay Raina. Even though I am so interested in chess, I haven't got chance to play any rated tournaments . I just play chess for fun and it also improves your creative thinking. For some of the you who are chess enthisiasts I like to play the Sicilian Opening and Slav Opening with black pieces and Italian Game with white pieces (Why too much centered around southern europe? you may ask. Well, I don't know). I also took NSO Chess in the first year of B.Tech. and also joined the Chess Summer Camp both under IM Sharad Tilak Sir Chess is definitely the go to game when I have less time and want to relax.