FORT KNOX, Ky. –
Sgt. 1st Class Derick Arellano, a Soldier serving in the U.S. Army Recruiting Command Headquarters G-3 Policy department, competed at the 65th Annual U.S. Armed Forces Open Chess Championship Oct. 12-14 at the U.S. Naval Academy.
The annual chess championship brings together chess competitors from across the U.S. Armed Forces, including current military personnel, veterans, and ROTC students to compete for the honor of being the chess champion. During the competition, Arellano won two of his five matches. He has begun preparing for next year's competition after taking notes on what aspects of the game he needs to improve, including better time management during the matches to prevent brain fatigue and working to avoid blunders that can be detrimental to the match.
Chess has been a life-long passion of Arellano; his chess journey began as a child learning from his father.
At eight years old, Arellano sat across from his father with a chess board in between them, patiently teaching him chess strategies. Watching his father maneuver his pieces across the board and outsmarting each person in his family inspired Arellano. He says he found excitement in outthinking his opponent and predicting their next move, rather than in the game itself.
“The satisfaction of checkmating someone was like the first sip of hot coffee in the morning,” said Arellano.
Arellano began competing in chess competitions in eighth-grade after beating his cousin, the reigning champion of the team at the time. Thereafter, he led his school’s team to five state championships.
After graduating from high school as a five-time state champion, Arellano began looking for a career that would challenge him as much as a game of chess and would measure his worth more than qualifications on a piece of paper. With those goals in mind, he turned to the Army.
Through his Army career, Arellano said he feels his life is completely transformed through the discipline and structure the Army provides. The camaraderie and bond shared with his fellow Soldiers that he has come to view as family has changed his life. Arellano has taken advantage of the personal development opportunities the Army offers; he gained skills he’d never imagined having. As an Army Soldier, Arellano dreams to combine his love for the Army with his passion for chess.
Chess and military operations share many similarities, including strategizing and decision-making skills. In chess, Arellano says that you need to constantly assess the board, anticipate your opponent’s next move, and respond appropriately. Just like in the field, being one step ahead is crucial for the success of a mission. Due to these similarities, Arellano dreams of introducing his fellow Soldiers to the chess world through an Army sponsored chess team.
“I want to show the world that we aren’t just stereotypical gung-ho Soldiers,” said Arellano. “We’re thinkers, strategic analysists, and mental warriors. Chess is the perfect platform to showcase this point.”
Arellano credits his victories, both in life and on the chess board, to many people. He attributes his success to his family and friends, who have helped him like knights on his battlefields and to the Soldiers who have allowed him to achieve a checkmate in the challenges he faces. IM Goran Vojinovic, his chess mentor and coach, left a lasting impression on Arellano throughout his journey in life.
Arellano hopes to connect like-minded individuals and inspire a new generation of chess players. He recently started an online community to connect others that can be found at https://www.chess.com/club/us-armed-forces/join
“It’s not just about the competitions,” said Arellano. “It brings us together and builds camaraderie even in the most challenging of times.”