23 Comments

I suscribed to this substack just to encourage Nate after hearing him on the perpetual pod and did not believe I would often read it, but I’m enjoying it a lot. Nate is a good writer and his opinions align with what I’ve been observing as an adult improver. Great job, I will be waiting for more contents in 2023 (another book or a course would be great) !

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Really helpful, thank you!

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Dec 31, 2022Liked by Nate Solon

Again, and another very helpful informative article.

Especially this quote.:

There’s some scientific evidence to support the idea that this could work. The neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett says that the more you experience an emotion, the easier it becomes for your brain to access that emotion. She recommends practicing feeling emotions like awe and gratitude as a way to counteract anger. The more you practice those emotions, the more likely your brain is to reach for them in a new situation.

My wife, who is also a neuroscientist (yes, that’s correct: I’m married to a brain scientist and I tweet about chess for a living), says “neurons that fire together wire together.” Neuroscientists love to say this.

Thanks

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Dec 31, 2022Liked by Nate Solon

Really cool blog Nate, thanks for sharing!

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Jan 1, 2023Liked by Nate Solon

as a competitive Scrabbler, this really resonated with me. The process must be fun. The results cannot be the sole objective.

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Jan 1, 2023Liked by Nate Solon

Loved this article. Especially needed after having an uninspiring tourney today where I went 2/5 beating 2 people lower rated than me and losing to 3 people higher rated than me. It made me think, what is the point? I lost touch with the fun today, I hope to gain it back tomorrow

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I also have a "second game". The first one is the one we all know and can be annotated in score sheet or software.

The second one is the toughest, not the game you are playing on a physical or virtual board, but the psychological warfare that's going on, and this is more proper of OTB games than online. And is what I miss of online chess, the complete implication of rationality and emotions.

Happy 2023 and success to everyone.

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Great insight! I found my New Year Resolution!

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What game apps do you use to play online , and blitz, what's a man to know?

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author

I play on Lichess and Chess.com, they're both great.

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The rating system can be a real setback for me personally, as there is always that lingering thought that a player who is 200 rating points higher than me has better statistical chances to win. But when I do beat higher rated players it is always with a mindset that I am here to play good chess and have fun. My lichess is @missflick, would love to have a game anytime, and thank you for this post!

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author

Cool, I followed you on lichess :)

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So I just realized lichess discontinued being able to see followers, so I can’t find you on there lol

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Awesome! For some reason I can’t see followers on the app but I will try on my computer, would love to get in a game!

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author

I am checkraisemate

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Just followed you thanks! Would love to get a game in anytime, I enjoy playing and learning from stronger players.

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Zen mode on Lichess was true revelation for myself, I can't wait to have that on chesscom app as well. On the other note daily chess almost completely removed all rating obsession and anxiety for me. I feel I have time to look at position properly, take time to make decision and even explore. Many times after thinking for a while I play a move and be like, let's see what happens now. There's no time in blitz for that. I think sometimes we just need to get that speed chess detox and slow down.

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Hey, Nate, thank you for sharing your thoughts! This article came just timely to me as I have recently been fighting this two games thing. I took the liberty to (freely) translate it to Portuguese so I could share it (with credits and the original URL, surely!) with my non English speaking friends whom I have been talking about having fun x the ego game lately.

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author

Amazing! Is the Portugese version posted anywhere?

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Not really, for now I just sent it to a couple of friends via WhatsApp. I’m 100% keen to make it public if you approve it, though.

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author

Yeah that would be great!

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Coolio, just posted it to my (freshly created!) substack. Thanks for authorizing!

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The most important thing: don't link your value and worth as a. human being with your ability to play chess. This mindset avoids many problems and difficulties, and allows you to enjoy chess and be comfortable with not being perfect at it.

It also helps you to spend time on looking at your mistakes, which are the key to improvement, without berating yourself.

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