By Scott Campsall
Magnus Carlsen is a Norwegian chess prodigy who became a grandmaster at the age of thirteen. He is constantly thinking as many as fifteen moves ahead and therefore has an uncanny ability to predict and control what his opponents will do. Most people are only able to see two moves ahead and that’s why the title of grandmaster is only granted to someone who can see at least 12 moves ahead. Some strategies that can be used to build a player’s skill in chess include the following…
- Play regularly and recognize patterns.
- Always look for the weakest spot in the opponent’s position.
- Before making every move, see if your opponent has any Checks or Captures against you.
- Play patiently and think of the best and the most natural move your opponent can play against you.
- Look for forced moves which are either checks or lead to winning pieces.
This theory of seeing moves ahead can be applied to my martial arts training. Except I am the opponent.
1. I need to go to class regularly and so I put in my schedule when I train. There’s no thinking about whether I’m going to class. I established a pattern for my week, and it happens.
2. I need to be aware of my weak moments like when I don’t get enough sleep. This can make me sluggish in class and it can also make me produce an excuse of being “too tired to go”. My answer? Get an appropriate amount of quality sleep the night before.
3. I need to see things that could stand in my way of going to class. This time of year, I look at the forecast to make sure snow won’t be an issue in my travelling to the dojo. I either leave earlier or in extreme cases, I create a training plan so I can train at home.
4. I need to be patient. Consistency is the key to advancing in martial arts. I didn’t get the ranks I have in any style overnight. Small steps have accumulated over the years and since I haven’t stopped, my knowledge has increased and so has my recognized level of achievement.
5. Despite the need to be patient, I look for opportunities that will benefit my training and give me a boost. Examples might be going to seminars with experienced teachers or getting quality time when I can talk with my mentors.
Seeing moves ahead in life can give an advantage in other areas. Christmas is coming. It shows up every year on December 25. This isn’t a surprise. We can predict what we will be doing that day and what is involved. Do you have your shopping done yet? How about for next year? Thinking like that could make you a grandmaster.