May 17, 2026
Ep. 190: Boost Your Chess Rating by Checking Your Ego
Most adult chess players are not held back primarily by calculation or opening knowledge. They are held back by ego: the need to look smart, play “real chess,” attack beautifully, avoid embarrassment, prove their strength, or force results. The paradox is that the less emotionally attached you are to proving something over the board, the better your decisions become. This episode adapts ideas from golf psychology about pressure, identity, unrealistic expectations, and emotional overinvestment into practical chess improvement concepts.
Referenced:
- How I Made Golf Easier - and a Lot More Fun (WSJ article)
- Feel freely, but always acknowledge the loss (YouTube video)
📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
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