How to Play the Professional Chess Game

Professional chess is not for the faint of heart.

Professional chess is an arena reserved for a select few intellectuals of varying abilities, talents and temperaments, and has been the kingdom of greats such as Bobby Fischer. To become a professional chess player, you need to first immerse yourself in theory; read and learn from chess strategy books, play against superior players and learn all there is to know about the game. Once you are thoroughly enmeshed in the world of chess, it's time to begin your meteoric rise to the top of this prestigious and bitterly embattled arena.

Instructions

1. Read books on chess strategy, and become familiar with the various tactics and maneuvers of the chess masters, like the "Poison Pawn" and the "Castling" move. Books like "Weapons of Chess" by Bruce Pandolfini are great stores of knowledge, and should be read cover to cover. Make notes and refer to them while playing, if that helps you learn.

2. Practice your moves on a regulation-sized chess board, either by yourself or against an opponent. Go through the maneuvers step by step, watch how they work and try to analyze any weak points in the strategy (and how to counter said weak points). Eventually, these moves will become like instinctual when playing an actual game.

3. Try to play against people you know are superior players to yourself; you'll lose more often, but you'll gain invaluable wisdom and insight into how to beat your opponents.

4. Compete in local tournaments, usually for an entrance fee and very little (if any) prize money. Most local high schools/colleges/chess clubs host them regularly.

5. Be patient. Don't expect to snag high-end sponsors and government support at this point, but instead use the experience to improve your endurance and grace-under-fire abilities.

6. Win often enough, and eventually you will make it to tournaments that attract sponsorship attention. Play your game cleanly and be a good sport, and with luck you'll be approached by a sponsor or government agency looking to support you through your tournaments. Accept graciously.

7. Study and practice constantly; never, ever think that you know all there is to know about chess just because you're sponsored. Chess is an infinitely complex game that can never be truly mastered, and you can only stay ahead of the competition by knowing more than they do.

References

• Jeremy Silman: The Life of a Chess Professional

Resources

• Weapons of Chess: an Omnibus of Strategy