(I wrote a lot of it myself, but I didn't like how it sounded, and I was hesitant to delete anything. So, I asked DeepSeek to optimize it, and here's the result.)
I strongly recommend modifying a handwritten font based on the characteristics of serif fonts, such as SimSun. Why serif fonts? Because their key advantages perfectly align with the core requirements of handwriting for competitions:
Exceptional "anti-blur/distortion" capability (robustness): The serifs (those small lines or decorative strokes) provide additional visual anchors and structural cues. I've experienced this firsthand: the old, unreliable printer at school often produced incomplete prints, with faded text that looked almost unreadable. In these situations, the structural advantages of serif fonts become apparent. Even if the main strokes are blurred or missing, the serifs allow you to "guess" the shape of the letters with a high degree of accuracy. This "tolerance" mechanism is a lifesaver when writing quickly during competitions, when your hand shakes, or when the paper is slightly dirty.
Achieving a balance between smooth and controllable writing: A good calligraphy style should be fast, but not at the expense of clarity. When modifying serifs, avoid creating overly sharp "reverse angles." For example, the horizontal connections in F and H, the central stroke of E, and the crossing point of X – if these are too rigid or have abrupt turns, writing quickly can easily lead to pen stops or deformation (X can really become α when written rapidly!). The ends of serifs naturally extend, making it easier to achieve smooth and controlled continuous lines.
Prioritize clarity and avoid confusion: It's a major mistake to mix up letters during a competition! You must actively design combinations that are easy to distinguish:
O and D: Make D clearly extend upwards (the vertical stroke of D should be higher than that of O), or lengthen the vertical stroke of D. This is the most direct and effective method.
U and V: Ensure that U has a flat bottom, V has a pointed bottom, and that the bottom of U is typically deeper than the bottom of V. The start of V can have a slight serif, and the end should be clean and neat, to avoid confusion with U. (Note: This uses a more general approach; your unique scheme can be used as supplementary information)
Other high-risk combinations: such as l (lowercase L), I (uppercase i), 1; 0, O; a, o; r, v; n, u, etc., all need to be clearly distinguished in the font design (e.g., 1 with a baseline or slash, 7 with a horizontal bar, z with a horizontal bar to prevent confusion with 2, and distinguishing the ends of g/q/9).
Leave room for "regret" (revision strategy): Changing answers during a test is very common. The clear font makes it easier to spot changes. More importantly, it's about mindset and technique: Knowing that you can still see the original answer even after erasing (provided you write clearly!) reduces the pressure of making a "final decision," allowing you to confidently write down an initial answer first. This also makes it easier to quickly check and adjust later, as you can easily revert if needed. The psychological safety provided by this "reversible operation" is important for maintaining your pace.
The font I use is a handwritten style based on a serif typeface, which I have modified slightly (since I no longer participate in competitions). However, the core principles remain: ensuring clear distinction between characters, natural and easy handwriting, and a relatively stable structure. I have been using this font for exchanging QSL cards and making notes for studying for quite some time, and so far, there have been no instances of misreading, whether when I look back at them myself or when others read them. This indicates that its basic clarity and robustness are satisfactory.
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