Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza
Fitzgerald's Advice For Your Chess
Drawing parallels between chess, life, and writing.In October 1936, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote a letter to his daughter, Scotty.
From the text, it becomes apparent that she wanted to pursue a career in writing. Being a famous writer, Fitzgerald could help his daughter with good advice. But what should he suggest?
Also, you may wonder what this all has to do with chess.
Well, I think we encounter this situation quite often. It probably happens every day. People of all levels want to improve their game and seek to find out how.
It makes sense. You want to know the precise steps to reach your goal — the exact roadmap.
But is there only one path? I personally think there are many. I think you can even find your own. Discover what works best for you.
Fitzgerald didn't pretend to know the secret. In the letter, he wrote:
Don't be a bit discouraged about your story not being tops. At the same time, I am not going to encourage you about it, because, after all, if you want to get into the big time, you have to have your own fences to jump and learn from experience. Nobody ever became a writer just by wanting to be one.
Let's embrace it for a moment. Fitzgerald didn't try to force her to do something in a particular manner. He didn't recommend any books. He didn't say to practice writing for 10 hours a day. Neither did he recommend a good teacher.
Instead, he sends his dearest on an adventure and warns her about its most daunting aspect. He believes she will find a way to learn to be great. She only needs to be ready for one thing — failures.
Now tell me, isn't that the same in chess?
A typical chess journey is full of ups and downs. You have to be ready to face both. Don't be scared of them. They are the journey.
Don't get discouraged by the losses. You have to have your own fences to jump and learn from experience. Nobody ever became a champion just by wanting to be one.