Hey Impressive Chessers!

So, you want to be an impressive chess player? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Follow these five foolproof strategies, and I guarantee you’ll stay on the path to greatness. These are battle-tested techniques that will dazzle your coach, terrify your opponents, and catapult your rating into the stratosphere!

1. Go Over Your Games With a Computer Before Your Lessons With Your Coach*

That way you’ll know all the answers and impress your coach immensely! For instance, in this position:

My student already wowed me by telling me the best move and that we didn't need to go over the game because they already knew all the mistakes.

What was the move they actually played in the game? See below 

2. Set a Threat Whenever Possible (SaTWP)*

Your opponent might not see it (see last example) and you get easy wins. Even when they do see the threat, they will feel under pressure and play worse. They will also know they are up against a formidable, aggressive opponent. 

When my student's opponent played 16. Qd3!! (see below)

That was the SaTWP principle in effect and it really worked!

3. Just don’t blunder*

Almost all the games at sub 2000 level are decided by tactical blunders, so just don’t blunder yourself and wait for your opponent to do so. Pounce on their mistake and then you win the game. It’s that easy! For example:

Just stop the Qh7+ threat and wait for White to mess up and the game is yours!

4. Never Take a Break, No Pain, No Gain*

If you’re doing badly in a tournament and/or lately, just power through it. The experience of being able to battle out of a rut will help you immensely in the long run. 

5. Set a rating goal of at least 400+ points per year*

You know that saying, “Shoot for the stars, land on the moon”? That’s you. But in chess, if you’re not gaining at least 400 rating points per year, are you even trying?

And don’t just aim high, hold yourself fully accountable.

Every loss should be a personal failure.
Every draw against a lower-rated player should be a wake-up call.
Every tournament where you don’t outperform your rating is a crisis.

Conclusion*

Like I said, if you do these 5 things, you will be unstoppable and you’ll definitely…

…Stay impressive!
NM Craig C.
linktr.ee/ChessToImpress

*Update as of 4/2/2025*

For the update check out this short reel --> My Latest IG Reel (14 seconds)