Chess Psychology: Developing Resourcefulness

Vladimir Kramnik

There is no such thing as a “sure thing” in chess. A game is not over until the clock has been stopped and hands have been shook. Comebacks in other sports like basketball and football are easy to spot, as you can’t miss Eli Manning leading Another 4th quarter comeback drive against the Patriots. But events can be a little more subtle on the chessboard. It’s easy for your opponent to be lulled into a false sense of security and play inaccurately. This is exactly why you never want to give up until you are 100% sure there is absolutely no way you can salvage the game and play on. Premature capitulation does not always involve blatant resignation – a lot of times chess players will give up on a difficult position way before it is necessary, due to a simple break-down in mental resolve. It is imperative to continue fighting at all costs and make your opponent earn every ounce of the win, because that is exactly how you’re going to save a lot of games that you thought were completely hopeless.

It is rightly said that the most difficult thing in chess is winning a won position” – former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik

In the 21st century, the value of stubborn and resourcefulness defense has skyrocketed as top players like Magnus Carlsen, Vassily Ivanchuk, Hikaru Nakamura, and Nikita Vitiugov are setting an example via the incredibly high level of resourcefulness regularly seen in their games. The most difficult chess to play involves defending a worse position, but if you can learn how to patiently repel your opponent’s initiative and attentively wait for your best chance to launch a counter-attack, your results are certain to improve. So never stop defending as actively and stubbornly as possible, no matter how hopeless your position looks because every chess game is rich subtle chances for a last-minute comeback.