Mistakes: The Stepping Stones To Learning

We have all had those Homer Simpson "D'oh!" moments!

All chess players have made hundreds of mistakes and suffered numerous losses on our journey to improvement. Instead of tossing those painful scoresheets in the garbage on your way out of the tournament hall, take up the challenge and learn from EVERY game you play—wins and losses.

As an experienced coach, I've developed a list of useful ways for every student to treat his/her tournament games.

Here are 5 tips to learn from your mistakes:

  1. Attitude: Be positive before, during and after the tournament. We are all happy about those wins, but focus on embracing those losses and the lessons those games will teach you on your road to improvement. 
  2. Quick notes: After a tough loss, write down some quick notes on the back of your scoresheet: what you were thinking during the game, why you think you lost the game, and the main mistake you think you made.
  3. Review: Once you are home and have had time to reflect, break out the chess set and scoresheet and review your game with fresh eyes. NOTE: Break out the chess set and not the computer to maximize your learning and strengthen your analysis skills. Go into detective mode and search for the truth!
  4. Coach: If you have a coach, take your analysis and questions to him or her to get a different perspective on your game. Though you might have played a nice win, make sure you show your losses first!
  5. Move on: Once you have learned from your mistakes, do not dwell on them no matter how tough the mistake or loss was—MOVE ON! 

Enjoy those wins, embrace your losses, learn from your mistakes, and you will be on the road to chess improvement.