A couple of weeks ago, I decided to watch the full games of the world chess championship of 2013 between Anand and Carlsen mainly to see how professional players act over the board. I decrypted their postures as well as their body language, but not only. I took advantage of this mini-experiment to note everything you can learn… Read More »
Imagine for one second that you could play a variant which is not the best, but would with 100% certitude put your opponent in a really unpleasant situation and thus give you the edge… I guess most of you would grasp this opportunity. That’s what I would also do. If chess is mostly a question of precision, the… Read More »
As Bobby Fischer once said: “Your body has to be in top condition. Your Chess deteriorates as your body does. You can’t separate body from mind.” No matter how focused you are while playing, a sudden and unforeseen pain can easily ruin this positive energy. Sitting for many hours can effectively become uncomfortable as it can put a… Read More »
I recently wrote an article about all the benefits of nature for your chess game, right before or after it. But wouldn’t it be great to enjoy the nature boost while playing too? If we agree that leaving a game for a nature walk is far from convenient, this trick proves to be an excellent alternative. 40-second nature… Read More »
With the comfort of our modern day society, most of us tend to forget the simple benefits of nature. Still, going out to the great outdoors remains one of the most reliable activities to improve your overall well-being, both physically and mentally. Is it a coincidence then that many Grand Masters mention the necessity of walking in nature… Read More »
When you think about chess confrontation, you must think of preparation. Getting ready for your game against a specific opponent can give you a tremendous advantage over the board; under the condition that you do it efficiently. So here are all the steps to follow in order to get the most out of your chess preparation, as well… Read More »
Have you ever found yourself astray in your thoughts during a chess game, so much that you lost track of time and forgot about the outside world? Being fully immersed in an activity like that is a state of mind called flow. As a chess player, entering this flow mode will give you a higher sense of control… Read More »
A lack of focus while playing? I already suggested trying a bubble gum. But for some of you who would not be fan of chewing, you can give a try to this one minute focus hack: First, decide on a piece of your choice over the board Then select a specific point of this chess piece (The eyes… Read More »
Nowadays, although numerous studies have demonstrated its productivity value, the power of napping is still largely underestimated in our society. Taking a nap for less than 10 minutes is indeed already incredibly beneficial for both your alertness and cognitive skills. A quick nap is actually like rebooting your system. You relieve fatigue and start fresh. So the question… Read More »
Through your chess journey, chances are you will have highs and lows, especially if you work hard to improve your skills. Studying hours and hours and not seeing clear results over the board can be really frustrating. To avoid these variations of feelings and stay on course, one excellent approach is journaling. It will not only help you… Read More »