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:

  • (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
  • (8)

In most of the tasks we perform Technology in our day-to-day life, having an assistant to help us can make things much easier. For that reason, one of the latest trends in technology has been the creation of virtual assistants. Usually, these help systems are connected to our phones, and we can also connect them […]

  • January 17, 2023
  • (41)

The old saying, “What got you here won’t get you there,” applies to your professional life today with One Skill You Need. The world is quickly changing as well as the competitive landscape. Whether you are running a business or trying to increase your career equity, ramping up One Skill You Need set is important. […]

  • May 18, 2023
  • (15)

Speakers Inc is available to offer you our LGBTQ Pride Speakers who offer Inspirational Leadership keynotes to open or close your next leadership and medical event or conference. Speakers Inc is a leading All American Speakers Bureau for motivational speakers that delivers keynotes over 400 times per year. Our LGBTQ and Pride Speakers are available […]

  • December 21, 2022
  • (16)

Artificial Intelligence in 2026: Why These Thought Leaders Matter Now Artificial Intelligence in 2026 is no longer a futuristic concept, it’s today’s most transformative force. From redefining business models and creative industries to reshaping ethics, policy, and human connection, AI is influencing how the world works, thinks, and evolves. But with exponential progress comes exponential […]

  • January 23, 2026
  • (3)

The latest jobs report–published August 5–showed that the United States added over half a million new jobs in the month of July. Are we on the brink of an Un-Recession? Unemployment is at or a near a 50-year low. Both points add credence to a growing number of economists who are pushing back against the […]

  • December 23, 2022
  • (6)

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
  • (53)

Kanya Sesser’s life story is a testament to No Legs No Limits and the power of resilience, determination, and self-belief. Born without legs and left outside a Buddhist temple in Pak Chong, Thailand, her journey from abandonment to becoming a celebrated athlete, model, and actress is nothing short of extraordinary.​ Early Life and Adoption In […]

  • April 2, 2025

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.