I never expected that 64 squares could have such a profound impact on my mindset, critical thinking, and focus. It's genuinely transformed my life. Let's see how everything started and the lessons I've learned from this beautiful game!

How Chess Changed Everything

My chess journey began this year, thanks to Gothamchess, a YouTuber whose videos introduced me to the game. At first, I found the videos quite alright, and I started to learn more about the game. I realized I was actually terrible, but I'd learned the basics in 1 week. 1 month later, unexpected news came – my university was launching a chess club! The timing couldn't have been better, as I'd been playing chess online, trying to understand everything on my own.

When my college chess club started, I was so hooked on chess that I considered skipping classes just to play. I even found myself studying chess strategies like the King's Indian Defense in public, while others chatted about everyday topics. I guess you could say I was pretty obsessed... But it's paid off. Let's see the different lessons and skills chess has taught me so far.

Critical thinking

Before I started playing chess, I used to make decisions without really thinking them through. It was all about acting on impulse. However, within a month of diving into the world of chess, I noticed a remarkable change in myself. I began to make better decisions in my life, taking the time to carefully analyze my options.

Chess also transformed my decision-making process within a month of starting to play. I now study and comprehend documentation, focusing on anticipating future code maintainability and potential issues. Chess has fundamentally altered how I approach development, emphasizing critical thinking and best practices while keeping things simple.

Planning

Before, I'd just go through the motions, not really thinking ahead or considering different approaches. It left me feeling drained and stuck. But chess changed that for me. It taught me the importance of having a plan, no matter how simple it's.

This lesson has been a game-changer, whether I'm freelancing or working on my recent side project Hobby Explore. In freelancing, I plan every step, from what I say to who I reach out to. And for Hobby Explore, I've learned to prioritize features with careful planning and input from other developers, even if it means removing existing features.

In addition to helping with work and projects, chess has also been a great tool for organizing my daily life and taking action towards my goals.

Strategic Thinking and Simplification

Maybe you think you need to have all the pieces in order to checkmate your opponent. You're wrong. You need to simplificate. It's the same with coding. Don't try to create a functionality with 10 modules and using 5 design patterns. But instead, focus on decreasing the amount of code needed to make something work.

Keep in mind that just as in chess, there are situations where you need to be cautious and analyze your moves because they can impact your position in the future. Similarly, in coding, it's essential to carefully consider how you implement design patterns or functionalities. Think about scalability and how your decisions will affect future developers working on the project.

Learn from others

I used to feel uncomfortable when playing chess or spending time with people who were clearly better than me. It often triggered feelings of impostor syndrome, making me doubt my own abilities. However, thanks to chess, my perspective has shifted. I now see these skilled individuals as valuable teachers and mentors. They have mastered every move, coding pattern, and strategy, so I've come to realize that the best way to learn is by surrounding yourself with the masters.

The same principle applies to coding. It's essential to draw inspiration and motivation from people who are more skilled than you. They serve as living proof that your goals and aspirations are achievable, and maybe you can learn something new from them.

Teach others

No matter how much you know, you can always help someone else learn. Once, while playing chess, my opponent didn't understand "passed pawns." Instead of making fun, I explained the concept, and they were grateful. The same goes for coding. I enjoy teaching new things and sharing my experiences, encouraging a culture of learning and support. Teaching isn't just about giving; it's a way to grow personally and make the world smarter. Remember that teaching others is a powerful way to enhance your own learning, making it a win-win situation where you benefit as you help them.

Learn from your own mistakes

In chess, you need to learn from your own mistakes. For instance, if you make a move that seems good but leads to a losing position, you can analyze it afterward. Maybe you missed a threat, didn't consider long-term consequences, or overlooked a better move. Recognizing these mistakes helps you avoid them in future games, making you a better player.

Well, it's the same with coding. When working with a new application, you often discover better ways to accomplish tasks over time. As you look back at your code, you might think, "Wow, this code could have been more efficient with a single design pattern." But here's the important part: you've learned from your own mistakes. Remember, what you considered your best in the past may now appear as a mediocre attempt.

Build your patience and attitude

Whether you're waiting for the right move on the chessboard, anticipating interview results, or ironing out bugs before a production release, these situations all require one key attribute: patience.

Progress may take time and your destination might change along the way. However, keeping a positive attitude and consistently putting in the effort is essential. Chess has been a valuable teacher in teaching me the art of waiting patiently and focusing only on what I can control.

Build Focus

If you've ever found yourself spending minutes analyzing potential moves and scenarios in a game of chess, you're already well-prepared for hours of deep work. This focus isn't limited to chess; it extends to tasks such as client projects, personal endeavors, debugging, learning new technologies, and mastering design patterns.

The focus is also crucial for staying on your own path. Despite tempting distractions, limit your priorities to what truly matters.

Conclusion

Chess has become an essential teacher in my life, offering valuable lessons in several areas of my life and bringing my mindset to the next level. These insights have greatly benefited my career as a Freelancer and Software Developer and I'd love to keep improving at Chess while growing as a Software Developer. I hope you've found this blog enlightening! If you're also a chess enthusiast, leave a comment sharing your lessons!