Chess - Hank Miller

A Mind for Strategy: My Chess Journey

Long before I ever picked up a deck of cards or built a stage illusion, I was fascinated by the game of chess. Growing up in Mansfield, Ohio, I spent countless hours studying openings, tactics, and endgames—captivated by the beauty of strategy and the challenge of thinking several moves ahead.

Much of that early passion was inspired and nurtured by Mr. William Asher, my high school English teacher. Mr. Asher loved chess and shared that enthusiasm with a small group of students who were equally hooked on the game. He often stayed after school to teach us the fundamentals of strategy, patterns to recognize, and the common traps that could turn a game in an instant. His patience, humor, and quiet dedication left a lasting impression on all of us. I’ll be forever grateful for his love of the game—and for the time he took to guide a group of restless teenage boys toward something both challenging and deeply rewarding.

By my senior year, that passion and practice culminated in my earning the title of United States High School Novice Chess Champion. Leading up to that achievement, I competed in dozens of local and regional tournaments, gradually building a collection of trophies that marked each step of progress.

Those trophies represent more than competition—they symbolize persistence, focus, and the discipline to see things through. They also foreshadowed my later career in magic, where planning, misdirection, and creativity intersect in much the same way as a well-played chess match.

Even today, I carry those lessons with me. Whether I’m sitting at a chessboard or standing on stage, I still approach every challenge the same way: study the field, anticipate the moves ahead, and execute with precision and purpose.