It is rarely a mysterious technique that drives us to the top, but rather a profound mastery of what may well be a basic skill set.

Growth only really comes at the point of resis­tance, but that is the moment that we tend to stop. Because it hurts... pushing our lim­its, is a mus­cle that can be cul­ti­vated like any other - incrementally.

We learn by pushing ourselves and finding what really lies at the outer reaches of our abilities.

Just about every error has a technical and psychological component: get good at discovering those connections

The truth is that throughout my careers in both chess and the martial arts, I often knew that my rivals were more naturally gifted than me - either with their mental machines or their bodies. But I have believed in my training, my approach to learning, and my ability to rise to the challenge under pressure.

My coach and my parents both had this relationship to what I was doing, which was allowing me to express myself with chess. And so I could love it. I had a passion for it. I was expressing myself through chess, and I was learning about myself through chess.

In chess you might find a good move. Then you might find a better move. But take your time. Find the best move.