<p>I've got a problem thats really affecting my life. Im really good at chess, but I hate doing it. In my country, Im the best girl, and this autumn im going to represent my country in the olympics. Ive also played several international championships, world youth and european youth champs. Even though Im really good, I dont like doing it anymore. Im just not intrested in playing. Its never, ever, before a game like im excited or anything. Around christmas i took a break, because I was tired of it, and wanted to find out if I missed it, but I didnt. The only reason I continued was to give it a last chance . It didnt help, and im still not enjoing to play. I know there would be a lot of people disapponted if I quited playing, but now I want to focus on school (im a freshman this year) to become what I really want to: a writer (journalist) and photographer. Appreciate all opinions! :) what do u Think I should do? Quit or continue?</p>
<p>I would say that you should continue, but not devote as much time to it. But if it’s really that bad then it’s perfectly fine to quit.</p>
<p>This is a really tough issue. Because on the one hand your chess competition prowess is very impressive and is definitely something that will really pop out on your resume/application. On the other hand, you don’t enjoy it.</p>
<p>Why did you ever start playing chess?
My hypothesis (pure conjecture) is that you used to like chess, but the competitiveness really killed the fun. In which case I think tedders is right that you should spend less time on it.</p>
<p>You should respect your ability to play chess because it sets you apart from your peers.
Use your gift as a way to get into good colleges and opportunities you wouldn’t have without chess.
Your essays about playing chess at a competitive level is stuff colleges love.
You can be a photog/journalist/chess player.
It’s not one or the other.
Multifaceted.</p>
<p>Don’t give up chess. Sorry, but I am a huge chess proponent here, and think it should be part of every school curriculum. There is so much that the game can do for you. </p>
<p>But how about if you combine it with what you love, journalism and photography. Write about it, photograph between matches and some of the things that you love about it. Even write about your current conflicted feelings. Or write and photograph other things…</p>
<p>I do not know what country you are from, or where you want to go, or how old you are, but chess can be a very great way to experience the world, and you will meet some great people. It may open doors for you in journalism and photography too. So don’t be so quick to give up on it.</p>
<p>If it really makes you miserable stop. I’m really good a singing, but choir was making me miserable, so I stopped for a while, then started again when I had time to feel better about myself. Do the competitions your set for right now, then take a break from competitive chess, just play fun matches for awhile, and maybe start again later. I will agree that it will boost your college chances and is a nice academic resum</p>