From Instinct to Mastery – A Student’s Journey Through Chess

From Instinct to Mastery – A Student’s Journey Through Chess

Today I had one of those coaching moments that reminds me why I love what I do.

My student Alpha Chia shared his progress after a full day of focused blitz training on Chess.com. He gained 150 rating points in a single day – but what mattered more wasn’t the number. It was his insight and self-awareness.

“Endgame recognition is faster now.”
“I just practice on my instinct.”
“Middlegame is creative.”
“I saw the weakness and went for it.”

Alpha is not just improving – he’s thinking like a 2000-rated player, and I told him:

“With me, you will be a 2000 player soon.”

What struck me most was his reflection:

“Now I have motives for every game, even the ones I lost.”
“It’s either mistakes or blunders, but I led the whole way.”
“They feel the stress even with opposite-side castling.”
“My tactics help me simplify positions.”

This is the language of a player who is not just playing chess but understanding it.

Every student has their unique journey, but when mindset and effort align like this, progress becomes inevitable.

Let’s continue to play forward. Just forward. ♟️