Chess Tips, Articles and Guides to Help You Win Chess Games

One of the most frequent questions I get from chess students and friends is “How did you become an International Chess Master?” Especially those who are starting often ask this question; as if there was a formula they could follow in order to do the same.

Regardless the level of play or strength, there is one thing that every dedicated player can achieve and that is the ability to “think like a grandmaster”. Very often we struggle with problems such as poor calculation skills, lack of opening preparation, little endgame knowledge or even handling the time pressure that prevent us from reaching a higher level.

Chess Training and Tournament Performance: One of the most difficult things to measure in chess is progress. No matter how much you train at home, how confident you are, or how many blitz games you win online it is the tournaments that will put a note on your efforts. As explained in several previous articles, improvement relies on many different qualities, not only on well-sharpened skills but also on a strong mind, capable of overcoming any difficult situation that may arise. It is hard to imagine that one can achieve success at a tournament without having previously worked hard in a consistent way.