Topic
Lessons
Summary
In preparation for my first chess tournament.
Over the last 12 months, I've worked with a chess coach to help me get closer to my goal of becoming an FIDE Master (FM).
These lessons are not just exclusive to chess. They can be applied to life & business. Here are the compilation of notes/lessons learned:
Lessons:
- How to improve 100pts: play 2 games → play puzzles → repeat.
- Play calm, not desperate. As soon as you're desperate, you lose. Think of poker players who play aggressively, and go all-in.
- How you are financially is how you should be with chess. If you had $200k, would you aggressively spend it, or save it?
Mid-game Questions:
- What is the purpose of the piece?
- What are my active risks?
- Are you helping your opponent develop their pieces?
- Does the position look scary, or is it actually scary?
- Where is my weakness?
Material
- Take care of downside risk when you’re up.
- Does your queen do more for you, than your opponent's queen? Why would you trade it?
- Take care of downside risk when you’re up.
Positioning
- Types of pawns: Pawn chain, isolated pawns, double pawns
- Pawns control a lot of space if on the same line.
- Opponents not being castled is a weakness you need to exploit.
- If you don't know what to do, move something that has no effect. Then, think on opponent's time.
- How powerful a piece is, is how well it’s positioned.
- The center of the board is where pieces reach max potential.
- Complicating variations sets you up for errors.
- Each move has a goal. Think about what the goal of each move is.
- Pieces work better in formation
- Only create creative plans to punish opponents. Don’t always come up with creative ideas.
- Don’t move your pieces to improve your opponent's position.
Time
- Play calm, not desperate. As soon as you're desperate, you lose.
- Avoid adrenaline rush. Where most mistakes take place.
- Take 15-20 second breathers after an emotional event.
- Moves that are easy don’t spend time thinking. (physiological trick)
- Don’t give the opponent time to plan. Think on your their time.
- Reanalyze board, and spot weaknesses.
- When something gets boring, don’t get creative.
- Beginners mistake: first they make the move, then think about repercussions.
Mental models:
- Inversion — what move should I not do?
- Second-order thinking — if I make this move, then this will happen…
- Margin of safety — how much room do I have for error.
Chess tournament results:
Want to play a game of chess? Add me as a friend on Chess.com here.