I met chess players in Cuba

Picture this: I found myself navigating the vibrant streets of Cuba, a land of enchanting mystery, armed only with my passion for chess and an unfortunate lack of Spanish. Days were filled with exploration, but nights at the hotel became an abyss of boredom. Determined to find a worthy opponent, I approached the receptionist, armed with broken English and a hopeful smile. Alas, she couldn’t help.

With over 300 rooms, the hotel held the promise of chess enthusiasts, but door-to-door inquiries seemed absurd. Online avenues proved futile due to the language barrier, and some groups rejected me outright for being a foreigner. Just when I thought my chess quest was doomed, a chance encounter with an English businessman at the bar changed everything.

He suggested Eaplo, a platform I’d never heard of. Skepticism loomed, especially with the ID verification, but learning it used Stripe, a familiar company, eased my doubts. In a bold move, I signed up and sent out an availability request, half-expecting silence. But within a minute, two fellow chess aficionados from the same hotel responded.

Eaplo’s messenger facilitated a swift connection, and within 10 minutes, I was facing off against a newfound friend in the lobby. Over the course of my 10-day stay, this digital chess haven brought 15 kindred spirits within a 200-meter radius of the hotel into my orbit. The realization hit me – the possibilities with this website were staggering and boundless.

Embracing Eaplo transformed my daily routine. Now, I engage with amazing individuals worldwide, forging lasting friendships, all sparked by the shared love for a timeless game. The power of this platform continues to astonish me, proving that sometimes, even in a foreign land, the language of chess unites us all.