Training and playing in chess are fundamentally different, and we need to approach each in its own way.
Imagine a boxer in the gym. His training routine includes many exercises that don’t directly mimic a fight, but they build his strength, speed, endurance, and tactical skills. On fight night, he doesn’t stop mid-round to do push-ups, but he relies on all that training to perform at his best.
It’s the Same in Chess
Training is your gym time. It’s when you slow down and focus on training a specific skill.
For example, you might solve tactics using a step-by-step method: look at every forcing move, calculate carefully, and try to understand the pattern. This improves your tactical vision and calculation skills.
Playing Is the Ring
During a real game, you won’t have the time or energy to follow the processes you used during training. The clock is ticking, the pressure is real, and your focus fades if you overthink. This is not like solving a puzzle over a cup of coffee. In a game, you rely on the skills you’ve developed through training, trusting them to guide you and make the most of the limited time you have.
Why the Difference Matters
During training, you can use tools like complex thinking methods to develop your skills. In an actual game, however, there’s no time for detailed mental algorithms—it’s simply not practical. Understanding this difference matters because it reminds you that in a match, you should rely primarily on your intuition and the skills you’ve already acquired.
Key Takeaway
When you train, focus on building your skills deliberately, but when you play, trust your skills and intuition. After the game, you can review how your skills performed and see what you need to work on.