How to play GOOD chess

In this post, I want to show you how to play GOOD chess, which means playing the chess that makes you proud,

You know...

The type of chess that is fun, exciting, and makes you feel alive.

For me, good chess doesn't have to do anything with winning more games. Winning games is sometimes a by-product of good chess, but certainly, you can play GOOD chess and still lose (I'll explain this further).

To play good chess more often, you must first understand its key components. Good chess implies: 

• Deep focus
• High intention - Low Attachment 
• A perceived challenge to conquer or to learn from it. (Excitement)

Deep focus is the capacity to stay concentrated during the game. Playing in an optimal environment without distractions is key. Playing good chess at work or home is hard when your kids are fully awake. It's important that you take all previous steps to ensure a quiet practice.

To play good chess and find those great moves (!!), you must stay concentrated so you don't miss opportunities or make dumb mistakes.

High Intention—Low attachment means setting an intention that allows you to grow and be present. It's about doing your best in the moment without being attached to the outcome. 

Feeling too anxious before the game means you are afraid of an outcome that can upset you. When you intend to have fun, take it seriously and learn from the experience, there's nothing to be afraid of.

If you want to play GOOD chess, you need to control your emotions and not let them decide for you.

A perceived challenge to conquer or learn from it means you CARE about the game.

Nowadays, it's very common for adult players to embrace shallow practice, which means playing chess without caring at all, playing long blitz/bullet sessions of game after game, without reflecting on the quality of your moves and chess.

One thing I do a lot inside Premium Chess Coaching is to make my students connect so they can share ideas and play together.

Usually, you can see 2000+ players practicing rapid or daily chess vs 1100 rated students.

This practice has a fascinating effect on my lower-rated students.

The other day, a student who is around 1000 was playing a very good game against a student who is already 2000, and he played very well! He didn't win, but I have to say he performed like never before.

He said he could play this well because he saw it as a great challenge, and he took the game very seriously.

So, to play good chess, you need to seek the challenge; that way, you will stay motivated and give 100% of yourself all the time.

I want to finish this post with a reflection. If you have succeeded in life, you can play GOOD chess, too.

Good chess is all about focus, intention, and challenge.

It's about giving the 100% when you are playing and studying.

No one who has succeeded in their life could have achieved it without giving 100%

You already have the drive, you need to translate it to chess. Most of the time, the steps are fun and exciting when you know how to do them.

I hope this post helps.

See you on the winning side

-Coach Diego