GM NoelStuder's Blog
The Art of Resilience: How to Defend Lost Chess Positions
Today, I’m going to show you how to defend a lost position. Let’s face it, we all get into lost posi…
Opening Courses: Are They Worth Buying ?
Opening courses are everywhere. The prospect of playing the same line as a Top Player is just too te…
The Chess Improvement Formula
Getting better at chess is pretty straightforward. If you spend time on a few things that really mat…
Boost Your Chess Performance: The Unexpected Power of Breaks & Rest
Many chess players struggle with solving tactics, remembering opening lines, analyzing their losses,…
Mastering Chess Puzzles
The Comprehensive Guide to Effective Problem Solving
Embracing Ambition, Letting Go of Expectations
Imagine there is a pill that allows you to be happier, more productive, and more successful, all whi…
Chess Enjoyment vs. Training: Striking the Right Balance
We all want to have some fun. But I guess you also want to improve your game.
How To Find A Plan In Chess Endgames
Endgames. Ugh, so boring you might think. I know this isn’t the favorite phase of the game for many.…
Adjusting Difficulty for Optimal Chess Improvement
A couple of years ago I talked to a seemingly very talented player, who invested a lot of time in ch…
Chess Improvement: Key to a Better Life
For most people, chess is a fun and great hobby. If done right, it can be so much more than that.
Why Making Mistakes is Your Secret Weapon
I love making mistakes. Yes, you read that correctly. I have come to realize that making mistakes is…
Grandmaster Tips To Perform When You Are Not Feeling Great
We all know these days. You sleep badly, are sick, have a migraine, or have any other physical probl…
Why You Should Avoid Grandmaster Advice (Sometimes)
“They are stronger than me, so I should listen to them” is something I hear often.
5 GM Habits for OTB Chess Success
Imagine enhancing your chess performance without solving a single exercise. Sounds too good to be tr…
Finding Your Chess North Star: What Are You Optimizing For?
Since starting my blog in 2021, I’ve answered hundreds of questions from readers. Most of my answers…
Don’t Be A Genius
Every single time I thought I found an extremely sophisticated, “genius” solution to a simple proble…
Unlocking Chess Success: Knowledge Meets Skill
Knowing is not doing. I know meditation helps me. Yet I’m not meditating every day. I know playing b…
The Chess Step Method Explained
The Step Chess Method is one of the most famous step-by-step methods for teaching and learning chess…
Unlocking Chess Success: +752 Points in 6 Months
Winning 752 points in 6 months. What sounds like a ridiculous marketing pitch is the real success st…
Save Time and Energy with a Simple Approach to Sidelines
Throughout my career, I was always happy when my opponents opted for sidelines in the Opening. I int…
How To Get The Most out Of Our Beloved Lichess
You read this on Lichess. So you don't need to be reminded of this amazing platform. But do you real…
The Effort-Pain-Improvement Cycle in Chess: Why It’s Worth It
If Chess improvement was easy, everyone would be a Grandmaster. What makes improvement difficult is …
Choosing the Right Chess Openings for Beginners – 3 Key Traits
I get often asked: “Are there any beginner-friendly chess openings you recommend?” Yes, there are. I…