In this article, I am discussing the Milestones in Chess and what are the obstacles in reaching them – a thought that came to my mind one lazy afternoon. We all know that Rome was not built in a day. The same applies to chess achievements. One brick at a time and the chess expertise is built. We all know that going slow and steady is what it takes to reach a milestone.

What are the Milestones in Chess, the prerequisites, and more importantly, how to sustain our motivation and achieve them eventually?

Some important Milestones in Chess are:

1. Grandmaster Title
2. International Master
3. Fide Master Title
4. Candidate master and
5. Fide Rating.

While striving to reach these milestones is desirable, understanding the way to approach these goals is more essential, to make the journey smooth and enjoyable. During my online chess classes, one of my students actually asked me about this and that made me think that I had never given a thought to it to date.

Heeded my words not, did you? Pass on what you have learned. Strength, mastery. But weakness…folly…failure, also. Yes, failure most of all. The greatest teacher, failure is. Luke…we are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all masters.” – Yoda’s Force spirit to Luke Skywalker

How do we reach (and cross) the general and personal Milestones in Chess?

What are the ingredients that make up for a successful accomplishment? How can we maintain the momentum that we had when we first started?

What I really believe in, is the idea that a real journey is no different from an inner one.  

Where there is fun, merriment, and company, the journey becomes less tedious and appears less time-consuming.

Here are my personal tips to help my students achieve and enjoy chess pursuits.

1. So the first step is to make sure that you are passionate about this = Deeply passionate.

By that, I mean that your whole day must be engrossed in this single passion. You can relax but at the end of the day if you did not dwell in your pursuit of chess goals, then it is not an earnest endeavor.

You are not channeling your inner force. This inner force will push you in the proper direction. Always.

The force that was referred to by the Star Wars Jedi Master in the very famous line – “May the force be with you”.

To live with this passion in the back of your mind, will create that inner impetus to work on the daily practice. This was and is still the driving force for me.

Back then when I first started as a chess player in the ’90s – and now as a chess coach – whenever I am doing other things non-chess, I am always yearning to come back to my chess-zone.

2. Form a group that shares your passion = Together we win.

Join a club or create an informal one, with like-minded friends if there is none! That way the energy levels will be sustained.

When I was an amateur, I used to invite a lot of chess friends to my place for long hours of study. And they helped me get back to shape, when my energy was low, due to some off-days. Those were the non-internet era.

That was actually a boon for me as, if I had not had these friends to push me up, I would have quit and stagnated, resigning to my fate.

Nowadays we have the groups formed automatically when we are taking online chess classes – if not the coach will help in this regard.

Even a family can sometimes become a group – if all of them are chess lovers!

3. Teach someone = Moral responsibility.

Yes… it may be strange to hear but teaching someone will give you a sense of what you have understood fully and what you have only a superficial understanding of.

You will be morally responsible and that will bring sincerity to your efforts.

I gained a lot by teaching some younger players a few things about chess training software and in return, I was daily increasing my knowledge by conscious reinforcements and boosting my energy levels.

I was also subconsciously learning my future job!

Here, I tell my students to teach their parents or siblings, or grandparents whenever they have a chess aficionado in the family.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions whether in online chess classes or casual sparring games = Fearlessness.

Sometimes a stronger player will take the pains to teach you something ONLY if you bother to ask.

Just try it.

I have met quite a few good souls who later on turned out to be good friends on my chess journey!

You can try it out in your club or during a tournament. I encourage my students in online chess classes and in my chess centers to have that camaraderie. Sometimes these friendships go beyond chess boundaries.

5. Don’t be afraid of criticism = No Ego.

Sometimes players who are far younger or older than you will chide you for your game quality – take it in your stride.

Also read: Correct Attitude to Learning chess | 5 Tips to success

After all, that soul is giving you a free lesson! These nifty tips will be in your memory for a long time. I once remember how I had my first lesson not to be too overconfident when my Grunfeld defense was ripped apart by an elderly player.

For those of you who may be curious – he was non-other than the legendary late Mr. Dakshinamoorthy from Chennai (Theagaraya Nagar to be precise). He had since then taught me – and countless others like me – so many wonderful chess lessons, many of which were in silent communion, that I can never describe.

Maybe one day I will write about him.

6. Spend some time doing self-study = Gaining momentum.

That is the most important tip I cannot stress enough.

Too many students of mine need to be weaned off the spoon-feeding that they undergo as beginners either in online chess classes or academy lessons.

When they reach a certain level they must be forced to study on their own for some time, daily.

This will give them a sense of achievement that will drive them to pursue their personal Milestones in chess.

A coach can only act as a battery charger. The ‘capacity of the battery’ is what you will be increasing, by engaging in dedicated self-study. It’s your privilege and responsibility for this life.

7. Meditate daily. It is the hidden compass in your life that will constantly guide you on your path. Calm your mind and let the noise settle down. Undertake this on a daily basis. Now you will notice that you have clarity while working on your chess.

8. Take a break, once a week. After all, you are the boss of your own practice. Give yourself a cheat day. Enjoy the view while traveling!

9. Exercise regularly. While everyone knows that exercise is a good idea, the scientific evidence about its benefits in old age is there for all to see. Remember that Chess has to retirement age. So if you love chess you will be playing it for a long time to come and for that, you need to be healthy and fit.

I hope you liked this article. If you can do me a favor and spread the word.

Let us help chess players who are struggling to reach their personal milestones in chess.

I know because I was also once there in that plateau.

Author’s picks for further reading:

The Mind is much more powerful than you think 

About the Author

Hey, I’m Kish Kumar.

Over the last two decades, I’ve trained more than 500 students in chess, from India and abroad through online chess classes.

My experience helps me to identify the weak spots in the student’s chess armor, and that is where I provide help in making them reach their personal Milestones in chess.

Many of these students went on to become school champions, district champions, state champions and went on to participate in national and international level chess events having achieved a decent FIDE rating up to 1900-2000 and an online rating of 2300 to 2500.

If you want to take private lessons, do drop me a line at kishchess at Gmail dot com. To know more about online chess classes click here.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Kish

Kish is an editor and chief coach with a passion to teach. He works in the Golden Chess Centre, as a coach assisting the Chess kids with everything from the basics of Chess to teaching students how to use thinking tools. A lifelong learner himself, he has always been fascinated by the use of thinking techniques in chess and education. He creates chess resources based on his two decades of experience in the chess Teaching arena (and always wants to learn from others).
His Chess workshops and online chess classes can be booked in advance based on appointment.

Latest posts by Kish (see all)

• 7 Mistakes In Chess Tactics Training +2 Bonus Training Methods - February 10, 2021
• 13 Free Smart Chess Training Ideas that Actually Work - January 13, 2021
• Tournament Chess Set Triple Weighted – 100% satisfied! - January 7, 2021