Mental strategies this chess grandmaster uses
- Author: Maurice Ashley
- 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
Further articles you may enjoy:
- (28)
Beyond the Bio: What Event Planners Really Need to Know Before Booking a Keynote Speaker “It’s not just about credentials. It’s about connection.” When organizing an event, selecting the keynote speaker can feel like scanning through a sea of shining bios and polished headshots. You’re presented with bestselling authors, award-winning professionals, and thought leaders who’ve […]
- June 20, 2025
- (24)
The Power of Storytelling: Why It’s the Most Booked Skill in Keynote Speaking Today In 2025, one speaking skill continues to stand out across every stage, industry, and audience: storytelling. While expertise and credentials remain important, the ability to tell a compelling story has become the most booked and valued asset in keynote speaking today. […]
- December 17, 2025
- (22)
Tom Goodwin: The Trends Futurist Redefining Marketing and Innovation In a world obsessed with following trends, Tom Goodwin stands out for questioning them. He’s not the kind of speaker who walks on stage to reaffirm what everyone already believes. Instead, Tom challenges assumptions, pokes holes in comfortable narratives, and demands that we look at the […]
- May 1, 2025
- (1)
If you’ve ever seen expectant parents in a baby shop, you’d know that pregnancy is a life stage that usually triggers an avalanche of consumerism and to find Pink Sheets. I (thankfully) never tallied what I spent during my pregnancy, I just know that becoming a mum, while filling my heart, has drained my wallet […]
- January 16, 2023
- (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
- (6)
The Ultimate Guide to Speaker Bookings in the West End Entertainment in Los Angeles Introduction: Los Angeles, a city renowned for its glitz and glamour, is not only the entertainment capital of the world but also a hub for West End Entertainment in Los Angeles-style performances that captivate audiences with their mesmerizing productions. In this […]
- January 8, 2024
- (33)
Generosity is an interesting beast. As a charity CEO, I have seen it expressed in many different ways. The best kind of generosity comes with warmth and good old NSA – no strings attached. This kind of generosity is glorious to witness and is the backbone of charity work all over the world. The worst […]
- January 16, 2023
- (53)
Speakers Inc International is a Professional Speakers Bureau, based in San Diego. Speakers Inc has branches in USA and Southern Africa. We were started a little over 24 years ago by Bronwyn. Our mission is to help our clients find the best, most suitable SPEAKERS for their particular conference or event. We represent South Africa’s […]
- January 2, 2023
