Violence, violence, violence. I don’t like it. I avoid. But, violence likes me. I can’t avoid.
~ Rocky, KGF 2 (movie)
In the movie KGF 2, when Adheera hits Rocky hard, he retreats and returns to deliver a fatal blow. His patience at a difficult juncture bodes well for him.
Similarly, my chess game has improved significantly due to a calmer and more patient approach.
I have reflected on the reason for my <50% winning rate in chess. Yes, it’s due to my impulsive moves. It is hard to unlearn deep-rooted impulsive strain in my psyche. But, today, one of my opponents in online chess messaged me: calm down.
This has been the most transformative advice I’ve ever received. In addition to my earlier framework mentioned in this post, a certain level of patience and deliberate refusal to attack earlier in the game has led to certain interesting results.
In my post, Rise / Fall, I updated my chess framework. I am adding just one more point to it.
Every move should adhere to these guidelines.
a) Every move should result in better positioning for the next move.
b) Gain points by capturing a piece.
c) You support other pieces and build your overall position.
d) If there is a possibility of losing a piece, you will gain a piece of equal or higher value.
e) You checkmate the opponent’s king.
f) You avert a checkmate.
g) You avert the loss of the queen or a pin by the opponent.
h) Unless absolutely necessary, don’t attack the opponent but simply focus on positioning for the first 5-10 moves.
Great positioning is so influential that it sets you up for victory, even if you make one or two mistakes. As many psychologists/physicians have found, the nourishment given to a child during the earlier years has an outsized impact on the person’s future growth. Similarly, the first ten moves have an outsized effect on your probability of winning the game.
I have won 7 out of the last ten games with this new approach. I drew one match and lost two. Even among two losses, I attribute one of them to carelessness. Slowly but steadily, I am rewiring my psyche through chess. And it feels great.
Hold back early violence and plan your onslaught. This strategy works most of the time on the chess board and in real life.