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.
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
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 […]
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. […]
Getting absolutely clear about HOW TO UNCOVER YOUR PASSION is critical to your success as an entrepreneur. You want a passion that you are willing to shout from the rooftops—that you’ll share with everyone, even strangers at a cocktail party. Why is identifying your unique passion so important? Because to UNCOVER YOUR PASSION is fundamental to your […]
Desiree-Anne Martin believes in the inherent ability of anyone to change. Her mantra is that there is hope, always, and she is a Change Catalyst and Inspirational Speaker. Desiree-Anne is a prize-winning published author and poet. Her writing on racial identification, GBV, the myths of parenthood, sex and feminism has appeared in numerous print anthologies […]
A couple of weeks ago I was in Orlando for a talk. And, the night before I was sitting at the hotel restaurant grabbing some dinner. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that there was a basketball game on the tv at the bar and I knew the THE 3 C’S OF […]
Speakers Inc is your Unique Speaker Bureau International in today’s fast-paced world, where the success of an event hinges on delivering impactful and memorable experiences, event planners require a partner who understands their needs inside and out. Enter Speakers Inc, the Unique Speaker Bureau International and ultimate solution for sourcing world-class keynote speakers, emcees, and […]
The Power of Motivational Sales Speakers: Keynote Themes, Takeaways, and Audience Impact In the fast-paced world of business, sales professionals face constant challenges that demand not only skill but also a resilient mindset. Motivational sales speakers play a critical role in empowering these professionals, providing the inspiration, tools, and strategies needed to achieve success. Whether […]
Dunder Mifflin Leadership Wisdom Part Two – Recognition is the Fuel of Motivation Welcome back to the Dunder Mifflin School of Leadership, where we draw inspiration from the legendary antics of The Office’s Michael Scott, Jim Halpert, Dwight Schrute and the rest of the zany cast. A very quick recap of last week’s note – these […]
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
