Every time I start a chess lecture and the subject is related to improving or training, I place the following question to the audience:
– Why don’t you improve in chess?
Answers always refer to lacks… Lack of time, lack of books, lack of money, lack of teachers, lack of computers and software… Of course to own the very best notebook with Chessbase and updated Megabase, to own Dvoretsky books collection, to have several free hours a day and the best instructor around will be great, but…
– But what, teacher?
Well, you need something that is inside yourself… Something that you can’t buy…
I mean METHOD and FOCUS. Even if you have time, money, a good teacher, the best hardware and software, if you don’t have a METHOD and a good FOCUS, your improvement will be severely harmed! Believe me! This happened to me, more than 20 years ago…
A couple of weeks ago, I got a book called “Deep Work”, written by Carl Newport. “Rules for focused success in a distracted world” is the cover quotation. It is not a chess book, but it points, in a clever and clear way, the problems we faced to work or study without METHOD and FOCUS. Newport says that we live in a “distracted world”.
Can you count how many things can interrupt or delay our chess training session? Cell phone, electronic messages, tv news, social media in general, noises, family issues…
Related: Chess Books
I got some ideas from Newport and tried to adapt them to our environment, a chess training session environment. And, stated them in topics. So, let’s go…
Every time you are going to train, with a teacher or alone:
– Define clearly the starting and ending times for your session. I strongly believe that, for chess, less than two hours won’t be that effective.
– Define your goal and schedule for the session. For instance: I’ll study tactics and solve problems for the first 30 minutes, then I’ll spend an hour checking an annotated game, after that, I’ll read an ending book and so on… A major plan can help with that.
– Ask your friends and family to not interrupt your session.
– Stay away from social media!
– Turn off cell phones, radio sets, TV sets…
– Only use your computer as a tool for your chess training session. Sorry, no on-line blitz!
– Always use your chessboard! Even if your material is a computer one. Don’t train or study on your computer screen. Never!
Also Read: History, Openings, and Strategy of Chess by Steven Connolly
– This is not mandatory: Boosters… You can use some boosters if you feel this will improve your focus. Whatever… A cup of coffee, a glass of your preferred juice, a big meal (lol), a prayer, a Day-dream, a couple of minutes of quietude… Up to you! Enjoy your session!
I hope these words will help you with your next chess training session. I’ll be more than happy if you write to me in the comment section below pointing something related to this method. Please, feel free to share the article… friends, blogs, teachers…
A bit about myself: I am a Brazilian player and teacher. 58 years old and an Electronical Engineer. My current FIDE ELO is 2077 and my peak was 2154, as far as I remember, 20 years ago.
Me with my Chessbazaar New Columbian knight! October, 20th, 2019.
1 Comment
Parabéns, mestre! Sempre com propriedade e clareza! Certainly your suggestions work – and very well. Congratulations and thank you for sharing the knowledge!