Chess in Professional Life. Ability to play even better in challenging positions.

The ability to concentrate and handle critical situations is crucial, not only in chess but also in everyday life.

During a chess training session, I had a conversation with my coach about the differences between very strong players and those exceptional players who are becoming champions. As one reaches a certain level in any sport, they enter a population where each individual is exceptionally talented, hardworking, and dedicated to mastering their skills with an incredible desire to win.

Despite this shared commitment, we consistently see the same names winning titles. What sets them apart from others, who may invest even more time in training?

That conversation concluded with an interesting insight: the unique ability to concentrate and play even better in difficult positions.

Every skilled player strives to be well-prepared for the most significant competition of the year, such as the national championship, leading to continental or world championships. Typically, these tournaments consist of 9 or 11 rounds, where the winner should earn about 80% or more of the points. This is an extremely challenging task, given that each opponent knows how to play and is well-prepared on their side. The average game consists of 30-35 moves, which, as discussed in the first post, essentially means that a player needs to make 30-35 correct decisions. To win the tournament and gain 80% or more points, one cannot afford to make a single significant error, as it could lead to a loss and almost eliminate the chances of accumulating the necessary points, considering there will likely be a few draws against top opponents.

When you play with an understanding of all that, along with the cost of mistakes, it puts a lot of pressure on a player. However, unforeseen challenges arise, and sometimes, during the most critical moments and crucial games, errors occur, allowing the opponent to take advantage.

This is that crucial moment that may define who wins the title. When things go wrong, usually, everything else goes wrong. We're not only losing material on the board but also losing more time seeking a solution in a difficult position. In some cases, it's also associated with a bad feeling, a cough that distracts, and you start thinking that everything in this world goes against you.

At this point in time, people can be divided into two categories: those who lose motivation, start regretting mistakes, and keep making new mistakes, which inevitably ends in a loss.

The other category (very rare) understands all of that and finds the power to play even better than before. Creating all sorts of difficulties for the opponent and trying to catch every single chance to minimise the opponent's advantages, make a draw, or sometimes even take over the initiative and win. The first category will have a look accepting the defeat, while the other may have fire in their eyes, almost saying, 'Okay, challenge accepted, now try to beat me!'

I don't think this is the only quality relevant to champions; however, I'm 100% convinced there are no champions who can't do this.

When it comes to real life, we experience similar situations. Usually, bad news never comes alone. The team may start falling apart, your most important product/project may suffer, health or family issues may arise, or you identify an overdue bill or a tax penalty, and so on — all coming at once.

Then, when it happens, I think about that very conversation with my coach and how I admire those who have the ability to act even better during hard times. It helps me do the same, start resolving issues one by one and move on.

Interestingly, if you manage to do it once, it’s much easier to do again. What's more, you begin to build a reputation that starts working in your favour. Opponents already know how challenging it is to materialise an advantage against you, and that can affect their morale.?

Similarly, in real life, competitors will try to avoid dealing with someone who is a tough cookie, and those around you will remain confident that you're not going to break

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