How can I write a compelling college essay about my experience with chess?
Chess has played a huge role in my life, and I'm considering writing my college essay about it. I’ve been playing since elementary school, participated in a few tournaments, and even started a chess club at my high school. I know a lot of people choose chess as a topic, so I’m worried it might come off as cliché or like I’m just bragging about my achievements.
Does anyone have advice on how to make an essay about chess stand out? Should I focus more on personal growth and lessons I learned, or would admissions officers prefer specific stories about competitions? I really want my essay to feel authentic and different from others who might talk about chess too.
If anyone has written about chess for their college apps, I’d love to hear how you approached it or what you think worked well!
Does anyone have advice on how to make an essay about chess stand out? Should I focus more on personal growth and lessons I learned, or would admissions officers prefer specific stories about competitions? I really want my essay to feel authentic and different from others who might talk about chess too.
If anyone has written about chess for their college apps, I’d love to hear how you approached it or what you think worked well!
4 months ago
•
36 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Writing about chess can absolutely make for a strong college essay, especially since it has clearly shaped who you are. You’re correct to be aware that it’s a fairly popular topic, but what will set your essay apart is focusing on the personal, specific, and unique moments that show your genuine passion and personal growth.
Humanize your story by zooming in on a particular experience, rather than telling your whole chess journey. Instead of listing every achievement or leadership title, pick a single game, a key moment as club founder, or an unusual dilemma you faced. Maybe there was a time you lost an important match in a way that revealed a weakness—like impatience or perfectionism—and that moment forced you to reassess your approach. Or perhaps recruiting members for your chess club was surprisingly difficult, and one conversation with a hesitant member taught you something deep about connecting with others.
Admissions officers are less interested in the technicalities of chess and more interested in how the game transformed your thinking, relationships, or worldview. For example, you could write about a turning point in a tournament, where a surprising move by your opponent challenged you to adapt—then draw a parallel to a moment in your life outside of chess when adaptability mattered. Or focus on how teaching newcomers to your club changed your attitude toward leadership and patience.
The trick is to balance the chess context with introspection. Avoid just recounting a victory or showing off skills. Instead, highlight a core value or insight you gained, backed up by a vivid story. Here’s a quick example: “When I realized that my best opening moves collapsed under pressure, I started approaching both my games and my friendships with more flexibility, valuing improvisation over perfection.”
Finally, use sensory description and dialogue to bring the scene to life. What did the chessboard look like as the clock ticked down? What ran through your mind as you coached a nervous teammate? Those details will make your voice stand out—even if others are also writing about chess.
Humanize your story by zooming in on a particular experience, rather than telling your whole chess journey. Instead of listing every achievement or leadership title, pick a single game, a key moment as club founder, or an unusual dilemma you faced. Maybe there was a time you lost an important match in a way that revealed a weakness—like impatience or perfectionism—and that moment forced you to reassess your approach. Or perhaps recruiting members for your chess club was surprisingly difficult, and one conversation with a hesitant member taught you something deep about connecting with others.
Admissions officers are less interested in the technicalities of chess and more interested in how the game transformed your thinking, relationships, or worldview. For example, you could write about a turning point in a tournament, where a surprising move by your opponent challenged you to adapt—then draw a parallel to a moment in your life outside of chess when adaptability mattered. Or focus on how teaching newcomers to your club changed your attitude toward leadership and patience.
The trick is to balance the chess context with introspection. Avoid just recounting a victory or showing off skills. Instead, highlight a core value or insight you gained, backed up by a vivid story. Here’s a quick example: “When I realized that my best opening moves collapsed under pressure, I started approaching both my games and my friendships with more flexibility, valuing improvisation over perfection.”
Finally, use sensory description and dialogue to bring the scene to life. What did the chessboard look like as the clock ticked down? What ran through your mind as you coached a nervous teammate? Those details will make your voice stand out—even if others are also writing about chess.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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5 years
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