From Fear to Confidence: What I Learned on My Chess Journey

When I started taking chess more seriously, I realized that improvement isn’t just about studying or practicing every day, it’s about being consistent and patient. Still, I faced a lot of frustration. I was putting in hours of work, yet the results weren’t showing. After some time, I understood that my biggest problem wasn’t my opening preparation or calculation but it was fear. Essentially the fear of losing. That fear made me play too cautiously, and instead of learning, I was just trying not to lose.

I’m sharing this for the chess players who are still struggling with the same doubts. To let them know this is all part of the process. Everyone who takes chess seriously goes through this phase sooner or later. The truth is: you can’t grow without losing, and you can’t improve without taking risks on the board.

I have seen this aspect in many people, friends who are playing chess, students, and even in discussion with top players. Once I accepted that losing is a part of learning, everything started to feel lighter. Every game became an opportunity, not a threat. I began to play more freely, experiment with new ideas, and most importantly, I started to enjoy the game again. When you stop being afraid to lose, you finally start winning in the right way.

If you’re reading this and feeling stuck, remember: progress in chess is never linear. There will be ups and downs, winning streaks and slumps, but every move you play is a step forward. Don’t let a few bad games define your potential. Trust yourself, stay curious, and keep showing up because consistency beats talent when talent stops working.

If you train chess, believe in yourself and don’t let your fighting spirit falter. All of us have had bad games and tournaments at some point, but if you stay consistent, if you show up and train every day, truly believe that the results will come!

So, believe in your own journey. Don’t compare your progress to others. Chess is not a race, it’s the journey that matters.

And final thoughts - the more you trust yourself, the clearer your moves will become!