Let me be very honest: I don’t really care if you gain 200 rating points this year. I’ve stopped caring about pure rating gains, both for me and my students, long ago.
Most people think I’m crazy for saying this as a coach. But after years as a professional and now as a Coach, I’ve realized that a number on a screen is meaningless if you haven’t grown as a person along the way (also read you are not your rating for more on this).
Improving your chess is one of the most effective ways to build character skills. I’m talking about the meta-skills that help you excel at chess, but also learn any other skill and be a better human.
I mainly think about these four:
- Resilience: The ability to bounce back quickly after a tough loss.
- Learning how to lose: Replaying your mistakes with curiosity rather than shame.
- Performing under pressure: Taking a decision when the clock is ticking and you aren’t 100% sure.
- Doing hard things: Pushing your limits in training until discomfort becomes normal.
A Lesson from the Poker Table
Most readers know I started playing some poker about four years ago. But I actually stopped playing almost six months ago because of a realization about character.
After a bad streak of results, I found myself playing in the hope of getting lucky rather than focusing on making the best decisions possible. No matter if I won or lost, I knew deep down I wasn’t building character skill. I was just hoping to get lucky.
And that faulty mindset slowly started influencing other areas of my life. That’s when I pulled the plug. That means no more poker for me, until I’m fully ready to sit down, do the right thing, and be okay when results aren’t great.
Stop Falling Into the “Quick Fix” Traps
I see the exact same thing in chess. If you win because of a lucky blunder or a cheap trick, you get the rating points, but you didn’t grow. You didn’t “earn” the win through a better process. This leads to what I call “hollow” progress, fueled by common traps that prioritize short-term results over long-term character.
This hollow progress is often fueled by asking a wrong question: “How can I win more games (easily) now?”. Or: “How can I avoid losing”.
Both questions push you towards quick hacks and not what you need to do to build character (and improve long term).
- Memorizing opening lines: Does it help you win? Maybe, short term. Does it build character? Nope. It’s just mindless repetition that bypasses actual thinking.
- Playing unfocused or tilted: Does it help you win? Only if you get lucky. Does it build character? Hell no. It reinforces impulsive, bad habits that you’ll have to unlearn later.
- Playing for cheap tricks: Does it help you win? That’s the only hope. Does it build character? Definitely not. You are avoiding the real fight and relying on your opponent to fail.
Focus on What Actually Matters
If you want to build a “Grandmaster” character, you need to do the boring, difficult stuff that actually works.
- Solving difficult positions: Does it help you win? Yes, but only in the long term. Does it build character? Hell yeah. It teaches you to sit alone with your thoughts and push your mental limits.
- Analyzing your losses: Does it help you win? Yes. Does it build character? Hell yes. It requires you to look reality in the eye and admit you were wrong.
- Mastering fundamentals instead of fancy things: Does it help you win? Long term, yes. Does it build character? Hell yes. It’s the “less but better” philosophy in action.
The Byproduct of Character
Even if you only care about that “darn rating,” the best way in the long run to get it is to stop obsessing over it. When you focus on your skills and your process, the results eventually take care of themselves.
To be very honest, this is what makes my work meaningful.
If you win 200 points? I’m happy for you, but it’s just a bonus. If you learn how to handle setbacks, stay confident under pressure, and be more kind to yourself when you lose? Then I made a difference I can be proud of.
Stop searching for a magic pill. Instead, ask yourself: “Does this build my character skills?”. If the answer is yes, it is very likely you are doing the right thing. Improve your chess by building your character skills.
Keep improving,
GM 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.
Whenever you’re ready, here is how I can help you:
- Want to know How to train chess well? Check out The Simplified Chess Improvement System. This course taught 800+ students the How of Chess Training. Create your high-quality chess plan and learn how to study each part of Chess, from tactics to openings & endgames. Click here to learn more.
- Rated below 1200 Chess.com? Need to refresh your fundamentals? Check out my course, Beginner Chess Mastery. You’ll learn all the fundamentals, from strategy to how to get the most out of your pieces, tactics, and endgames. You even get a full opening repertoire for free. Click here to learn more.
