Hey Impressive Chessers!!

I hate to inform you that I've been in a bit of a blitz slump as of late*. But the good news that comes with that is that I get to play chess players that play "hope chess". I thought that you all had stopped playing "hope chess" but I realized "hope chessers" are still out there, but they can't get higher than a certain level. Which makes sense, after awhile the silly traps that used to work will be sniffed out and rightfully punished; that's what this blog is all about actually! 

Example #1 of why NOT to Play "Hope Chess"

So this first example actually comes from a blog by NM Dan Heisman who I just recently discovered may have first coined the term: "hope chess"! 

Answer with Analysis

What I am Thankful for in 2025

Before we get too far into this blog, I wanted to honor Thanksgiving 2025 by saying what I'm thankful for, this year. 

Of course, the thing I’m most grateful for in 2025 needs no introduction: my baby girl arriving earlier this year healthy and perfect, along with her amazing mommy (aka my wife). I’m thankful every day for our family. Those who live close by and those who don’t but still make every effort to be part of 👶🏻Kira’s life. It’s been an incredible year. Yes, she takes a lot of work, but watching her grow, laugh, and discover the world makes every sleepless moment worth it.

I’m incredibly thankful that I get to work for Strategic Kids, a company whose support and belief in what I do truly motivate me. They not only let me write one blog a month, they pay me to do it, which still blows my mind. They also offer something I believe is unique in the industry: a lesson program where instructors get paid to receive a monthly lesson from a National Chess Master (me) . You simply can’t beat that deal! I genuinely enjoy those lessons; their dedication to improving their craft is inspiring, and seeing how committed they are to helping their own students only adds to the joy. It’s wholesome, it’s heartwarming, and it’s a big reason I love what I do.

I’m also incredibly thankful for my private students. I love “living vicariously” through them as they embark on their own journey toward mastery. The most fun I ever had in chess came during those years of rapid improvement. During this time I was absorbing new ideas, patching holes in my game, and slowly understanding the depth of this 1000+ year old but still relevant game. Sure, I’ve graciously blocked out the painful losses (a survival mechanism, obviously), but watching my students go through their own version of that evolution brings all the joy right back.

I’m thankful, too, that after 25+ years of serious play, I still genuinely love chess. Yes, it still frustrates me with ridiculous losses that I pretend never happened, but it continues to surprise me with new concepts, new strategies, new tactics, and new ways to think. Chess still teaches me, challenges me, humbles me, and entertains me and I don’t take that for granted.

Finally, I’m thankful for the chess community the readers and/or commenters of these blogs, the players who send me their games, the kids who tell me “I beat my dad in 6 moves!”, the instructors who care deeply about doing right by their students, and the friends (old and new) that chess continually brings into my life. I’m thankful for every player who has ever sat across a board from me, whether they crushed me, got crushed by me, or mutually agreed to the kind of draw that we both pretend was part of the plan.

Example #2 of why NOT to Play "Hope Chess"

Okay, now that the mushy stuff is out of the way let's get back to solving some more chess puzzles! This one has something to do with this blog's thumbnail, so no cheating, don't look until you solve!

What's my favorite move for White in the position below?

But that's not how the game went. Instead Black made matters even worse by playing 4...Bxf2+?! and eventually reaching this next puzzle position. Play the moves that I think best refute Black's "hope chessing ways".

Example #3 of why NOT to Play "Hope Chess"

For our last example I'm stealing from a popular video going around instagram:

Conclusion

If there’s one thread tying all these examples together, it’s this: “hope chess” might win you a few quick games, but it absolutely will not take you to the next level. Not in blitz, not in classical, not in any time control. Eventually, someone will calculate one move deeper, notice one tiny flaw, or simply refuse to fall for the trap and the whole position collapses.  

Not only that, but if you are relying on hope chess to win you games, you're not actually getting better at "real chess". Playing "real chess" means basing your moves on calculation, consequences, and plans, not wishful thinking. And that’s what I hope these puzzles, examples, and stories help reinforce. Whether I’m grinding out blitz games during a slump, training my students, or analyzing viral Instagram positions, the same truth pops up again and again: good fundamentals will always outlast tricks. Happy Thanksgiving for those that celebrate and...

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

But now I want to hear from you.
Do you think “hope chess” is still one of the biggest roadblocks for improving players today or is there something else holding most players back?

Drop a comment with your thoughts, experiences, or your own “hope chess” stories. I genuinely love reading them, and your perspective might even inspire a future blog!