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
No results available
Beyond Limits: How Adaptive Sports Redefine Resilience and Inspire Audiences When it comes to keynote speakers who genuinely move the needle in terms of motivation, resilience, and transformation, few voices are more powerful than those emerging from the world of adaptive sports. These athletes don’t just overcome obstacles—they reinvent the playing field. And in doing […]
Leadership Hack: How Sticky Notes Can Help Your Career Sticky notes have been my savior. And I don’t mean in a “don’t forget the milk” kind of way. True, sticky notes are great for grocery lists, but what I’m talking about here is how a few small squares helped me become a better leader, and […]
A Guide to Becoming and mastering the art of Speaking. Public speaking is an art form that, when mastered, can open doors to limitless opportunities. Whether you’re an aspiring keynote speaker or looking to enhance your communication skills, the journey to becoming a professional public speaker involves dedication, continuous learning, and a commitment to connecting […]
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) […]
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 […]
When it comes to hosting a successful conference or corporate event with Atlanta’s Dynamic Motivational Speakers, the impact of a compelling keynote speaker cannot be overstated. In Atlanta, Georgia, a city known for its vibrant culture and innovation, there is a plethora of inspirational speakers who can elevate your event to new heights. In this […]
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an indispensable tool for corporate transformation, particularly in enhancing sales and productivity. By automating routine tasks, personalizing customer experiences, and deriving actionable insights from vast datasets, AI provides companies with a competitive edge, fostering growth and improving operational efficiency. Boosting Sales through AIAI empowers […]
Kevin Gaskell seems to be meeting more and more people in business at the moment who are concerned that the economy is a bumpy ride and unpredictable. You can certainly feel a lot of turbulence in the air; Brexit, Trump, FX rates, inflation, Russia, Middle East, fake news etc. The truth is that if you […]
No results available
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2026. Designed using Voxel