How to conquer fear- Mental strength.

I remember Zhuo Ren asked me this question at my SEA games selection training. How to be mentally strong? There is no quick answer and no easy way but let me try to attempt an answer here.

Lets use an analogy of two boxers fighting. In order to land your blow you have to do this. You have to look unflinchingly at your opponent. You may take a hit but so long as you have not flinched you have a chance to counter attack. Fear may cause you to look away; fear of being hit, fear of pain. But if you turn away, you reduce your chances dramatically.

Lucky for us chess is not violent in a physical sense but it is the same hits psychologically. If you cannot look at your opponent in the eye, you cannot train properly. You will then overestimate or underestimate your opponent. That is also part of competitor analysis.

In chess your opponents will use intimidation, titles, big numbers to try and scare you. They will try to look fearful when they are not. They will attack your character so that your focus is there and you are too internally conflicted to see their weaknesses and their faults. They will tell you lies and half truths.

See the truth and not your truth. By this I mean don't only consider what you want to be true because of your fears and prejudice but the actual truth. For that you need to learn how to reason; develop your judgement and weigh the evidence.

As an exercise, consider this. Why do you think we do not train our players before we send them out? Why do they keep trying to tell you they love chess? If they really do, won't we see it from their daily actions? So the first step is to see clearly.

Another question. Why do certain people need to try to ban strong players without basis? Why do they need to collude if they are really that strong? Why can't they meet challenges on the table?

And the next step is to take action. This is also chess. After careful evaluation, make your move. Make the power move to change the results on the board. Otherwise you will still be lamenting 30 years from now.

Remember this Sumant. Don't let them swamp your mind.