In chess, having a strong strategy and solid tactics is crucial, but there’s something even more powerful that often goes unnoticed: the right mindset. Whether you’re playing a casual game or competing in a tournament, how you prepare mentally before sitting down at the board can make all the difference. That’s why I developed a Pre-Game Mindset Adjustment Routine that aligns your thoughts, sharpens your focus, and emotionally prepares you for the challenge ahead.
In this blog post, I want to show you the importance of this pre-game mindset routine, how it relates to your growth in both chess and life, and why it ties directly to the strategies I’ve shared in my book Modern Art of War: Gift to My 7-Year-Old Self. If you’re ready to take your chess game—and your decision-making skills—to the next level, keep reading.
The Importance of Mindset in Chess
Chess is often viewed as a game of tactics and strategy, but in reality, it’s also a game of mental resilience. You may know all the best moves, but without the right mindset, those moves may come too late, or worse, not at all. Your pre-game mindset helps you prepare for the mental battle that lies ahead, and that’s where this routine comes in.
Just like controlling the center of the chessboard, you need to take control of your mind before you even make your first move. The Pre-Game Mindset Routine helps you develop focus, clarity, and confidence. It’s about more than just “being calm” or “thinking ahead”—it’s about preparing yourself to make strategic decisions with precision and confidence.
When you’re losing, it’s easy to crumble under the pressure. But if you’ve prepared your mind to be resilient, if you’ve taught yourself to fight back from tough positions, you’ll find new opportunities to equalize the game. The mindset of a resilient predator is key to winning not just in chess, but in life, and that’s what I teach in my book.
How This Routine Aligns with Modern Art of War
In Modern Art of War: Gift to My 7-Year-Old Self, I emphasize that a strong chess game requires more than just knowing the rules or memorizing tactics. You need a strategic mentality, and that starts with how you prepare your mind. The Pre-Game Mindset Adjustment Routine is a practical guide that applies the same mental frameworks I discuss in my book.
For example, the routine teaches you to approach each game with patience, strategic focus, and resilience. It reminds you that the chessboard is a battlefield, and every piece is a tool at your disposal. Just like in life, controlling the center of the board is critical to your strategy, but so is keeping your mind sharp and adaptable.
The routine also reinforces the lessons in my book about seeing the big picture. Chess isn’t just about winning material; it’s about making moves that put you in a better position. In the same way, life is about strategic decision-making, not just short-term gains. This is why I’ve created this mindset routine—to help you play chess, and live your life, with a sharper, more strategic mindset.
How It Helps with Long-Term Chess Success
One of the biggest takeaways from both my book and this mindset routine is that resilience matters more than material. In chess, you will often find yourself in a losing position. The true measure of your skill comes when you play through it and find ways to recover. The routine encourages you to stay calm under pressure, calculate, and evaluate your next move with precision.
Mistakes aren’t the end of the game; they’re opportunities to learn and grow stronger. The same goes for life—every setback teaches you something valuable. When you’re resilient, you don’t crumble when things get tough. You fight back, just as you would on the chessboard.
This mindset is key to what I call Antifragility, which I cover in my book as well. It’s the ability to not only withstand pressure but to thrive in it. Through the mindset routine and the lessons from Modern Art of War, you’ll develop the confidence to handle any chess position, no matter how tough it seems. Long-term growth comes from building this kind of mental toughness.
Download the Free PDF: Chess Mindset Self Talk
If you’re serious about mastering chess strategy, then the Chess Mindset Self Talk: Pre-Game Mindset Adjustment Routine is a must-have resource. This routine is a practical extension of the principles in Modern Art of War.
In this free PDF, you’ll find key affirmations and self-talk points designed to prepare your mind for the challenges of each game. By following these steps, you’ll develop a stronger, more focused mindset that aligns perfectly with the winning strategies I teach in my book and course.
Download your free PDF from the product section of my website at www.ModernArtofWar.com and start implementing this powerful mindset tool in your games today.
Why This Matters for You
The right mindset doesn’t just make you a better chess player—it makes you a better thinker and strategist in life. My Pre-Game Mindset Routine is all about helping you enter each game with clarity, focus, and confidence. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, this routine will help you unlock your potential by keeping your mind sharp and your decisions on point.
This mindset is also critical to achieving long-term growth and success in chess. It’s the same mentality I teach in my course, which dives deep into strategic thinking and personal development through the game of chess. The principles in the routine, like controlling the center and resilience under pressure, will not only help you win more games but will also improve your decision-making skills in real-life situations.
Start Strong, Finish Strong
Remember, chess is not just a game of tactics and strategy—it’s a mental battle. And just like in life, the way you prepare your mind for that battle determines how well you’ll perform. The Pre-Game Mindset Adjustment Routine is your tool for mental preparation. It helps you stay focused, think ahead, and bounce back from setbacks.
For more insights on how to develop a strong chess mindset and improve your chess strategy, be sure to check out my book Modern Art of War: Gift to My 7-Year-Old Self. You can download a free sample on Amazon or grab your copy in e-book, audiobook, paperback, or hardcover formats.
Conclusion
The Pre-Game Mindset Adjustment Routine is your secret weapon for success on the chessboard. It aligns perfectly with the winning strategies I share in my book, and it’s a tool that will help you build resilience, improve your decision-making, and achieve long-term growth in both chess and life.
Don’t wait—download the free PDF from www.ModernArtofWar.com and start applying these principles to your game today!
By making this mindset part of your pre-game preparation, you’ll not only see improvements in your chess performance but also in how you approach challenges in everyday life. Remember, it’s not just about the moves you make—it’s about the mindset you bring to the board.
You can also save below video and watch it or listen to it before your games to align your mindset with the correct mentality to win more and learn from your games.
Click here to download this animation to your device and review it before your chess games or important events like job interview.
At Modern Art of War, we believe that the principles of chess can profoundly impact the way we approach life’s challenges. Our mission is to help you sharpen your strategic thinking, both on the chessboard and in everyday life.
One Response
Howdy! This post couldn’t be written any better!
Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this.
I will forward this write-up to him. Fairly certain he will have a
good read. Thanks for sharing!!