Raise Your Hands

For this post, I've put together some of the main things that hold people back from becoming a chess master, and shared what you can do to overcome these things. 

After all, the thinking you have now got you to your current level, but it won't take you to the next level - yes or yes?

The good news is, it's not all your fault.

I get that you're sick and tired of using resources (books, courses, coaching) that aren't specifically designed for your needs, and that aren't improving your chess results.

You're capable of becoming a chess master, but too many of you are afraid to fully commit to becoming a chess master, because you've been disappointed too many times.

And while your dream of actually winning a chess tournament is achievable, the reality is, you're not going to get there on your own. 

You are capable of becoming a chess master. (In case it didn't sink in the first time.)

It's not a question of natural talent or how early you started; it's a question of having real confidence in yourself and following the High Performance habits that will allow you to make the most of your chess ability, and thus win tournaments. 

You can do a lot better than what you're doing right now, on your own. By doing things on your own, or relying just on 1-on-1 coaching, you're not giving yourself a fair chance at the master title. 

But, if you do the right things for long enough, and follow the right SYSTEM (rather than one resource, ten resources, one person, or ten people plucked from the ocean), you're going to get there...and potentially, a lot faster than you think is possible from your current situation, right now.

Instead, if you keep moving on to the next 'shiny object'...you're going to be a dog chasing cars, not catching any of them. 

I still remember what it was like when I was in your shoes. From being stuck at 1800 for 2 years (while watching kids around my age surge to 200-300 points above my rating), to not knowing what I was doing in my openings, to trying different openings in fear of preparation (only to find my results were even worse). 

What's it going to take for you to give yourself the best shot at becoming a chess master?

Here's some incentives to keep in mind, in case you are on the fence:

- If you don't get to the master level (2200+) within 90 days, we'll work with you until you do.

- Do you really believe that 1-2 hours of private chess coaching beats 7 hours a week (not including all the recordings) in a program that follows a proven system to chess mastery, AND is tailored specifically to your needs?

- If you're a coach, like me - you want to help your students as much as possible, right? Part of that is raising your own level.

- I don't care if I have to kick your *** - I will make sure you get to that master title, sooner or later. I will literally not allow you to fail at this goal. 

- When you do become a chess master, and start winning chess tournaments, you become a role model in the chess world, for your family, your friends...and you inspire others by showing what is possible for them as well.

- It's not just about the title itself, by the way. This chess improvement journey of yours is also about the person you're going to EVOLVE into when you engage in this coaching journey to the master level. Becoming a more confident, present and vibrant you. The grass is indeed greener on the other side. 

You're not just going to be better at chess - once you've gone through my process, you're going to be a better spouse, a better friend, a better role model, and you're going to be even more respected in your chess community.

The reason I personally work 16 hours a day on this mission to help chess experts become chess masters, is because I love talking with passionate chess players like you.

I believe in you, and maybe all it takes for you to start giving yourself a fair chance at your dream of chess mastery, is to have a team of coaches that support you and have confidence in you, even when you don't feel confident in yourself.

Chess.com disrupted the online chess server industry - ICC (the dominant player 20 years ago) is now a redundant old relic.

Chessable disrupted the chess course/openings industry - ChessBase (the dominant player 10-20 years ago) is now becoming less and less relevant in the mind of the average player. 

In 2022, it is the coaching industry that is being completely disrupted - thanks to a new focus on RESULTS, rather than time or how many toys we can stuff inside a box (that last part was a joke, but a lot of truth is said in jest) 

My question is, are you going to be one of the early pioneers, who gets the much faster chess improvement and success before things really 'explode', or are you going to be left behind?

You know where to contact me. http://m.me/max.illingworth.16 

Finally, here's my 'Chess Master Rap', because not everything has to be dead serious: