Mental strategies this chess grandmaster uses

  • Author: Maurice Ashley
Reading time: 2 min
  • Word Count: 263
Read the news article

Imagine sitting down for six hours of back-to-back college final exams for nine days in a row with Mental strategies. That’s what playing in a professional chess tournament is like, according to chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley. The only difference is in chess, “the finals fight back,” Ashley tells CNBC Make It.

And no matter how much Ashley prepares, his opponent “figure[s] out how to out-prepare me,” he says. “It’s like a battle royal.”

Ashley is an international grandmaster, which is the highest title a chess player can achieve. In 1999, he became the first Black person to achieve the title of grandmaster, and today he is a chess commentator and coach.

Mental strategies this chess grandmaster uses

The game of chess requires intense mental concentration and stamina, especially at the elite level, where thousands of dollars of prize money is on the line.

“You have to try to control your emotions under that intense pressure as well, because you know if you lose this game, that can be your livelihood,” Ashley says. Although chess players seem calm and composed in their demeanor, it requires a lot of mental work to think ahead and stay present.

Even now as a chess broadcaster, Ashley says he has to keep track of multiple games at a time, and process what’s happening in real time. “Your brain has to be fresh for hours,” he says.

So, what Mental strategies, tips and tricks help Ashley stay in the game?

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE ON CNBC

Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on LinkedIn

Speaker Listing

Was this article helpful?

Further articles you may enjoy:

  • (3)

The Wonderbag is up for yet another accolade; the Food Planet Prize rewards excellence in environmental-based food innovation. South Africa (14 September 2022) – Wonderbag, a South-African-based startup founded by social entrepreneur Sarah Collins, has developed a simple yet pioneering cooking tool that continues to cook food which has been brought to boil by conventional methods. It […]

  • December 23, 2022
  • (46)

Elevating the Customer Experience at Airports: How Airports are Enhancing Every Passenger’s Journey For travelers around the world, airports serve as the gateway to their adventures and journeys, but this Customer Experience at Airports can often be challenging due to stress, long lines, and crowds. In response, airports have started transforming their customer experience (CX) […]

  • October 31, 2024
  • (7)

A Corporate Event Not Built Around a Speaker – They’re Just an Add-On Rethinking the Role of Speakers in Corporate Events For years, the keynote speaker has been viewed as the defining element of corporate events. But let’s face it: in today’s rapidly evolving business world, successful events are not structured around a single person […]

  • February 26, 2025
  • (11)

In the bustling world of sales, where targets and quotas often overshadow human connection, Elyse Archer stands out as a beacon of Transforming Sales through Authenticity. Based in Charlotte, NC, Elyse is not just a sales speaker; she is a transformative force who is reshaping how sales professionals approach their craft. With a compelling blend […]

  • June 24, 2024
  • (4)

It is a common understanding of a vast majority of leaders that the employee engagement is a company’s most important asset. But in reality, that is only true if the majority of the workforce is fully engaged in their work. If not, they are either adding minimal value or are actively working against the organization. […]

  • December 20, 2022
  • (78)

In the grand timeline of human experience, we are constantly navigating two forces: the pull of being More Attracted to the Past or the Future? Both shape our identity, decisions, and aspirations, yet they offer distinctly different perspectives on life. The past provides comfort, nostalgia, and a sense of grounding. The future promises excitement, possibility, […]

  • December 20, 2024
  • (120)

The Dark Side of Motivational Speaking: When Inspiration Becomes Manipulation Motivational speaking is a billion-dollar industry, built on the promise of transformation, success, and boundless personal growth. Audiences flock to these high-energy events, hoping for that one insight that will change their lives. But beneath the surface of encouragement and empowerment lies a darker reality: […]

  • February 3, 2025
  • (6)

Hispanic Heritage Month 2024, celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15, offers a unique opportunity to recognize the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This month-long celebration began as a week-long event in 1968, initiated by President Lyndon B. Johnson, and later expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover […]

  • October 16, 2024

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2026.  Designed using Voxel

AI Assistant
Speakers Inc Logo 2024
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.