Chloe: What It's Like to Play in the Most Fun Chess Tournament

Her Move Next (HMN) sponsored four teams to attend the 2023 US Amateur East (USATE) chess tournament in New Jersey. Her News spoke with two of our HMN players, Arianna Rim and Sophie Rohrs about their experiences representing Her Move Next at what is often billed as the most fun chess tournament of the year!

BY CHLOE COHEN
THE CHAPIN SCHOOL - COACH & MANAGING EDITOR

Her Move Next Teams 1-4 at USATE 2023 - Hands In

In February of this year, Her Move Next (HMN) sponsored four teams –– Her Team 1, Her Team 2, Her Team 3, and Her Team 4 –– to attend the 2023 US Amateur East (USATE) chess tournament in New Jersey. USATE is no ordinary tournament: whereas our Her League events place players onto four teams, USATE participants compete in teams of four. Each player’s points contribute to their team’s success; there are no individual awards. After an eventful and exciting long weekend, Her News spoke with two of our HMN players, Arianna Rim (Her Team 4) and Sophie Rohrs (Her Team 2) about their experiences representing Her Move Next at what is often billed as the most fun chess tournament of the year! These transcripts of our conversations have been lightly edited for clarity. Some questions with inaudible responses have been omitted. 

Her Move Next Teams 1-4 at USATE 2023

Interview with Arianna Rim, Member & Captain of Her Team 4 

Chloe: So, how and why did you decide to go to USATE? 

Arianna: I just felt like it would be a good experience for me because I hadn’t played chess for a couple of weeks, and I just wanted to do a little bit more chess and participate in more tournaments. So that’s why I chose it. 

Chloe: Oh, that’s awesome. And what was the tournament you played at before? What was the la- your most recent one before USATE? 

Arianna: I think it was the Hunter School, maybe. 

Chloe: Yeah, awesome. That’s great. And what excited you most about the [USATE] tournament? 

Arianna: The most [exciting part] about the tournament was when I became– I found out that I became team captain. [laughs] Yeah. 

Chloe: That’s amazing. Tell me more about that. How did that happen?

Arianna: It was in an email that one of the coaches sent everybody and the highlighted person in yellow is team captain and I was very excited to be team captain of my team. 

Chloe: That’s a great feeling. Well, that’s incredible. So did you have specific responsibilities as team captain? Were there specific things you had to do? 

Arianna: So, I had to take– there were these cards and you’d have to write all four of your teammates’ names, and then you had to write out the score, and it had to be very accurate, and you have to take full responsibility ’cause you want all your teammates to feel good before the round begins. So you’re trying to cheer them up and, yeah. 

Chloe: Yeah, so you’re kind of boosting team spirit, you’re taking records. That’s great. That’s a big responsibility, and I’m really- Did it feel cool? Did it feel great?  

Arianna: Yeah, it felt really cool. And I was, like, thinking “I am the GOAT” [Greatest of All Time]. Like, Her Team 4 is the GOAT. 

Chloe: Absolutely. That’s wonderful. Well, I’m really glad you had that experience. And, so, I know you mentioned this was the first tournament you’d played at in a little bit, but how did this compare to other chess tournaments that you’d played at and that you’ve attended? 

Arianna: It felt very different because you were playing, like, as a team 

Chloe: Right 

Arianna: So it was a very different experience because you had to be with all –– all three for me, including me – of your team members, and you had to find a certain room, the chess boards, the order you were sitting in, it was a jumble of work. 

Chloe: That’s amazing. Yeah, so tell me more about that team experience. How did that compare to other tournaments and to experiences you’ve had in chess. 

Arianna: It felt, just. I don’t know how to explain. It just– [...] the difference between [USATE and] other tournaments was that the hotel was very big, so you didn’t know where you were going sometimes. 

Chloe: Yeah, it’s easy to get lost in those hotels. 

Arianna: Yes, very hard. Once, I went the wrong way– wrong way of the hallway, and so I’m like, “This doesn’t seem correct!” and then I looked back and I just realized there was an open door right there where I was supposed to go. Very confusing. 

Chloe: Ah, definitely. Alright, and can you tell us about one of your favorite memories from the tournament? 

Arianna: My favorite memories from the tournament was [sic] when we first won because we kept on losing and so I was trying to urge them, and then my teammates encouraged me. So, I was playing against an older person who was, like, two- three times my size. And I was playing against that person and they [my teammates] were like, “Don’t let size intimidate you,” and it just uplifted me. 

Chloe: Oh, that‘s great. Definitely. And, of the games that you played, which felt the most special? 

Arianna: The most special game was when I played against the same Her Team and so it was very special because I was playing against somebody who was from my team –– like, not my team as in, like, ‘smaller group team’ but from the same club, so it felt very different. 

Chloe: Right, yeah, I know that happened where two of our [four] teams got paired together. Made for a good photo! 

Arianna: [laughs] 

Chloe: So, that was the most special game? Who did you end up playing? 

Arianna: [...] one of my friends, and we drew. Peer pressure. 

Chloe: [Laughs] Peer pressure! Was there peer pressure to draw? 

Arianna: Yeah, she was like “Please draw, and Simone will get so proud of me!” 

Chloe: [Laughs] Aw, well I’m glad that was a really special game. And do you think that you would want to attend USATE again in 2024? 

Arianna: Definitely. [Shakes head] No “no”s. 

Chloe Say that again? 

Arianna: No “no”s. 

Chloe No “no”s. I’m really glad that you had a good time, and I really hope that you go next year. And what advice would you give to anyone considering playing at USATE? 

Arianna: Do your best. Like, don’t let anyone try and intimidate you. Take your time, and don’t go the wrong in the hall. 

Interview with Sophie Rohrs, Member of Her Team 2

Chloe: So, my first question for you. How and why did you decide to go to USATE? 

Sophie: Well, I wanted to go to USATE because I– I like the experience because it’s not normal that you get to play chess with a team and, like, [have your games] count for team points. Like, at tournaments there’s team trophies but it’s not all about team. 

Chloe: Right, can you tell me more about that team experience? What did that look like here, and how did it differ from other tournaments? 

Sophie: […] It’s… you’re you, but then you’re also part of your team. And if you and people on your team do well, then your team’s gonna do well. So…. It feels like your own community. 

Chloe: Oh, it feels like your own community? 

Sophie: Yeah. 

Chloe: That’s awesome. And what excited you most about this tournament? 

Sophie: Mostly just because I was in the team. 

Chloe: Yeah? That was the most exciting part? 

Sophie: Yeah. And also I like that there’s long time controls. 

Chloe: And how did this tournament compare to other chess tournaments that you’ve attended? I know that we’ve talked about the teammate factor, but is there anything else that really differed? 

Sophie: Not really, because you’re still playing people but it’s different because there’s– if you’re on a different board, you’re going to play different things. Like, not, like, sectioned. 

Chloe: And can you tell us about one of your favorite memories from the tournament? If you had to choose one? 

Sophie: I just– My favorite was probably [when] I felt really good after my first round ’cause I beat a 1500. 

Chloe: You beat a 1500! 

Sophie: Yeah. 

Chloe: How long was [the game]? 

Sophie: I don’t know. It was pretty long because I normally play long games… 

Chloe: Well, that’s wonderful. Congratulations. And do you think you would want to attend USATE again in 2024?

Sophie: Definitely. 

Chloe: Awesome. And actually, let’s go back a second to that game. I’m wondering, of the games you played, did that feel the most special? Or was there one that really– that felt the most special? 

Sophie: [unclear 0:3:21, but an affirmative response] 

Chloe: Can you tell me a little more about it? Was there a position that felt really great, or was it just, you were playing against this 1500 and you did it, you won? 

Sophie: Yeah. I felt really good, like, converting the position. I think I did a good job converting. 

Chloe: Hey! Nice job. And what advice would you give to anyone considering playing at USATE? 

Sophie: You mean, trying to figure out if they want to play at USATE, or if they’re playing at USATE? 

Chloe: Well, we can do either or both. I was thinking, if someone is really, like, on the fence about going. They’re saying, “What is going to make this tournament meaningful for me? What’s it going to look like?” Maybe advice for that, kind of [for] beforehand. And then if you also want to think about after or during [the tournament], you’re more than welcome to. 

Sophie: […] I would consider the time control because if you like playing long games and you like making– being able to make slow moves, then you probably will really like it because it’s long. But if you get impatient with long time controls, then it’s not going to be so great. 

Chloe: Good to know. So, time control is a big factor for you. Alright. And is there anything else you would like to add about your tournament experience? 

Sophie: No, not really. 

Chloe: Okay, well thank you so much, Sophie, for taking the time to speak with me today about your tournament experience. And I’m really glad you had a good time. It sounded like a really wonderful event. Congratulations on beating that 1500! 

Sophie: [laughs] Thanks.