NoelStuder's Blog

One of my subscribers beat me - here is how

2025-02-13T14:06:11.601Z

When filming for Alessia's YouTube channel in London, I realized a key difference in chess improvement.

Why Bother? What Running Taught Me About Improving at Chess (and Life)

2025-02-10T11:03:11.502Z

A question that comes up a lot whenever one tries to improve a new skill is: Why?

From Bullied Kid To Grandmaster - How Chess Saved My Life

2025-02-06T13:43:04.407Z

This article is a special one, and one that I thought about never publishing.

Supercharge Your Chess Improvement in 2025 - Part 3

2024-12-31T14:13:37.889Z

Want 2025 to be your breakthrough chess year?

Supercharge Your Chess Improvement in 2025: Part 2

2024-12-23T09:27:25.578Z

Understanding the "What" in Chess Improvement

Supercharge Your Chess Improvement in 2025

2024-12-16T16:30:37.354Z

Improving at chess can feel like running on a treadmill—you’re working hard, but getting nowhere.

The Secret to Loving Chess Even During a Plateau

2024-12-09T13:11:50.291Z

Many chess improvers are frustrated. If you were fully satisfied with your progress, you wouldn’t be here reading this.

The Simple Path to 1500: Lessons From My Dad’s Chess Journey

2024-12-02T13:53:46.411Z

When I started, chess improvement was simpler—not just for kids like me but for adult improvers too.

How to Save Money (and Time) This Black Friday

2024-11-18T14:32:28.694Z

How many chess courses and books do you own that you haven’t finished?

From Thinking to Doing: Your most important move

2024-11-11T12:46:11.475Z

I’ve committed to running my first Half-Marathon in 2025.

Why CEOs have a hard time improving their chess

2024-11-04T14:51:02.77Z

How many hours have you wasted studying chess the wrong way?

The Chess Skills That Truly Matter

2024-10-29T13:18:21.78Z

Many of my readers and students are overwhelmed.

I won 200 rating points with a simple challenge

2024-10-19T17:42:19.409Z

At the end of July, I set myself a challenge: 30 days, each day 6 games of 3+2 Blitz with full focus.

The simple way to learn a new opening

2024-10-07T16:07:57.278Z

Studying a new opening doesn't have to be overwhelming.

Exceptional results - simple training

2024-10-01T13:02:58.698Z

We all want exceptional results. So how can we get them?

The right people for success

2024-09-16T06:59:50.454Z

The people around you have a bigger influence on your chess than you would think.

How to make chess easy (not what you expect)

2024-09-09T10:51:58.514Z

Imagine playing a poker tournament for 7 days straight for 12+ hours a day. $10,000 of your own money invested, and if you win, you get $10 Million.

Why system openings are bad for black

2024-08-27T15:33:17.326Z

Many chess improvers love system openings. If you play the London, you can develop in nearly every game the same way. And you know a few plans that are good to play in most positions.

How to prepare like a Grandmaster

2024-08-20T09:29:57.436Z

Next week I will prepare my fiancée WFM Alessia in her OTB tournament in Maia, Portugal. The goal is to get her ready for the game with as little work as possible for her.

How to handle toxic chess opponents

2024-08-19T10:03:16.658Z

Sadly, most of us had an experience with a toxic chess opponent. It can throw you off the game. Instead of thinking about the chess moves on the board, you think about them and how annoying they are.

How much chess improvement is possible?

2024-08-07T12:54:55.351Z

I get asked all the time a question along the lines of: "I'm 45 years old, started 3 years ago, now rated 1500. Can I reach 2000?"

How to procrastinate less

2024-08-02T13:21:41.039Z

YouTube videos, opening courses, the latest Chess Drama - no matter your chess vice, it is hard to avoid it.

How little experiments make things fun

2024-07-27T08:13:04.553Z

Many readers have requested it, and now I finally did it: my own chess improvement Podcast.

Stop planning - start doing

2024-07-08T14:23:41.68Z

Planning the ideal way to improve is a noble way of procrastinating.