In June 2015, I became a Chess Professional. It wasn’t just the people around me who doubted me—my Coach, someone I trusted, and even the Swiss Chess Federation told me to get a “real job” instead. They said I wasn’t good enough to make a living from chess—especially not in Switzerland, where the cost of living was sky-high. The message was clear: I was chasing an impossible dream.
But I had big dreams. I wanted to prove that I could live from chess, that all the years of practice had been worth it. I dove into a relentless routine to show everyone that my plan was right. Eight to ten hours a day of chess (only later did I understand the value of less but better)—every day. I combined it with sport, healthy nutrition, and good sleep, becoming completely obsessed with the idea of becoming the youngest-ever Swiss Grandmaster.
You see, since November 2013, my rating had been stuck around 2400. Even though I earned my IM title in 2014, my rating barely moved. I started my professional career with a rating of 2409, convinced that with enough hard work, success would come—quickly.
But reality hit hard. Breaking through a plateau isn’t as simple as just grinding away, and I was about to learn that lesson the tough way.
Results of My First 7 Months As A Pro
July 2015: 2416 (+7). Let’s go. It is all upward from now on.
August 2015: 2420 (+4). A little slow for my taste, but at least winning some points.
September 2015: 2422 (+2). Hello? Can’t this go a little bit faster?
October 2015: 2397 (-24). What? Working so hard, and now I get worse results? Was everyone right?
November 2015: 2406 (+9). At least a true IM with over 2400 Elo. But still, 5 months and a lower rating than I started with…
December 2015: 2404 (-2). My new Coach tells me I’m on the right track. But my patience is about to expire… 6 months and no results whatsoever.
January 2016: 2408 (+4). More stagnation. I am doing everything I can, but that might not be enough? I might have to enroll to a university soon…
The Breakthrough
But then, something changed in February 2016. I finally had a breakthrough: 2422 (+14). The two games I won against IMs were super one-sided. I felt something was shifting. All the work I put into changing my thought process, openings, and calculation were finally paying off.
From then on, chess felt easy for a half year. I continued training, and the results came one after another. GM Norm in April, Swiss Championship title in July. I could have given up in January, just when one of the best periods of my career was about to start.
I felt on top of my game, enjoyed every tournament, and got a lot of media attention, better sponsors, and support from foundations, and the naysayers became a little quieter.
Then, just when I thought I had it all figured out, I lost 34 rating points in one tournament.
You read that right. 34 points with K10 in 1 tournament. In one year I fought so hard to win 70 points, just to lose back half of it in one tournament.
This marked the start of my next, even more frustrating plateau:
August 2016: Rating 2477.
March 2019: Rating 2479.
2.5 years of playing full-time chess (yes, I had a traumatic brain injury, but I still put all my available focus time into improving my chess) and no results whatsoever.
But thanks to my experience of breaking through my previous plateau, I stayed calm. Stuck to the routine. Tried my best. Worked on my health.
Then, I had the best chess year of my life, had several 2700+ performances, won the Swiss Championship for a second time and an international Open.
Again, I could have given up, but trusting the process earned me another breakthrough.
The Takeaway
I see so many people who have the same struggle, but they pivot, jump around, lose hope, or quit early.
And as our World becomes quicker day by day, the amount of time someone is ready to go through a period without results but sticks to their training is getting smaller and smaller.
The slight frustration that kicked in for me after 2-3 months now kicks in for most after 2 weeks!
Yes, I was freaking out.
I doubted myself.
I hoped for results in the short term.
BUT
I continued working hard on the things that really mattered.
Worked on my mindset with a sports psychologist.
Never fell for quick traps or other quick-win temptations.
We All Have Plateaus
Everyone will sooner or later face a plateau. It will suck. You will try stuff and it doesn’t seem to work out. The biggest differentiator is if you can stick to it long enough to earn your breakthrough.
For me, sticking to it long enough was a little over 2.5 years.
Yet I see chess improvers freak out, buy a new opening course, and quit their training after only a month of a plateau.
So before you freak out next time and try to change everything in your chess training, ask yourself:
“Did I stick to my training long enough to earn my breakthrough?”
Spoiler. The answer probably is No.
So, get back to training.
Do your part. Keep the quality high.
At some point, likely when you expect it least, you’ll be rewarded with a breakthrough.
Need Some Help With Your Breakthrough?
If you want to avoid this frustrating cycle and finally break through your chess plateau, Next Level Training can help. It’s designed to help you build a training plan that works, focused on real, sustainable improvement—not empty promises.
With a plan you can trust, support from a like-minded community and the right mindset, you will be able to stay true to your training until you breakthrough.
The question is not if, the question is only when.
Click here to start your consistent training journey today and make your breakthrough more than just a dream.
Keep improving,
Noël
PS: This article was initially sent out to my Newsletter list. If you want to get chess improvement advice for free in your inbox, join 17,000+ chess improvers by signing up for Friday Grandmaster Insights here.
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