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:

  • (40)

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries worldwide, and at the forefront of this revolution are visionary keynote speakers who inspire and lead the discourse on AI development and innovation. Here are some of the most influential Leading in AI Keynote Speakers making significant strides in 2025: 1. Jensen Huang – The Visionary Leader As […]

    • February 27, 2025
    • (11)

      How AI is Revolutionizing Customer Experience in the Workplace and in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a cornerstone for enhancing customer experience (CX). As companies strive to exceed customer expectations, AI tools are proving indispensable in delivering personalized, efficient, and engaging services. Experts like Jay Baer, Dan Gingiss, Brittany Hodak, […]

      • August 30, 2024
      • (9)

        Top Event Hosts in Atlanta, GA: Why Every Conference, Wedding & Event Needs a Professional MC In Atlanta, events are more than just gatherings—they are experiences designed to connect, inspire, and leave a lasting impression. From large-scale conferences and corporate summits to weddings, birthday celebrations, and even high-energy karaoke nights, the expectations are high and […]

        • April 14, 2026
        • (7)

          Celebrating Women’s Month Las Vegas 2024 Introduction: March is not just a month on the calendar; it is a celebration of the strength, resilience, and achievements of women worldwide. Women’s Month is a time to honor the contributions of women in various fields, and Las Vegas is gearing up for an extraordinary celebration in 2024. […]

          • March 7, 2024
          • (9)

            Empathy in Action: The Key to Building Stronger Teams In the evolving landscape of leadership, empathy has emerged as a critical superpower for leaders. With the rise of hybrid work models, globally distributed teams, and the need for inclusivity in diverse workplaces, the ability to genuinely understand and connect with others is no longer optional—it’s […]

            • November 19, 2024
            • (11)

              The power to Tap into Emotion is something that has a universal appeal and can breathe life into simple cold facts. Have you ever pitched something you knew was great, only to have it shot down? Of course you have. We all have. And though the rejection might be devastating in the moment, there’s a […]

              • December 14, 2022
              • (15)

                In this article you will discover 7 emotional management techniques . A person with poor emotional management in the workplace, or even in personal life, can have consequences such as being fired or failing to maintain a stable relationship. At work, those who do not have an awareness of their emotions are often someone who has difficulty appreciating and being appreciated […]

                • January 15, 2023
                • (5)

                  BEING MINDFUL OF MINDSETS and The Power of a Growth Mindset by Grant Driver In July 2019, I experienced one of the most significant and yet most daunting moments of my career as a professional speaker.  I had been invited by Discovery Healthcare to present a 3-hour workshop to thirty Neurosurgeons on my research into […]

                  • January 23, 2023

                  Speakers Inc.

                  Connecting you with the perfect speaker.

                  We connect you with world-class speakers to create impactful, memorable events.

                  Find the Perfect Speaker

                  Tell us about your event and we’ll match you with the right speaker.

                  © 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.