I often refer to the need for effective development, something that is now taken for granted by any chess player beyond the rank of novice. But it took the first great American sports hero to demonstrate the importance of this fundamental concept to the world. His lesson, that you should have a solid and well-developed position before going on the

Studies performed by Dutch psychologist Adriaan de Groot have shown that elite players don’t in fact look ahead that much further than considerably weaker players while solving chess problems. They can, on occasion, but it doesn’t define their superior play. A computer may look at millions of moves per second, but lacks a deep sense of why one move

And finally, I find it helpful to create a mantra or affirmation: a short, empowering phrase that represents your alter ego’s mindset. Repeat this mantra to yourself when you need a boost of courage or motivation. I am confident. I am fearless.

You can—and must—look for ways to experiment and to push the boundaries of your capacity in different areas.