Chess Skills, Magic Skills

When I was in secondary school, I was part of the Chinese Chess school team. I was lucky to have a professional coach who not only imparted technical knowledge, but also mental skills that helped me both in chess and in Magic! Here's what he taught me:

Stop shaking your legs!

I remember having picked up a habit of shaking legs while schooling. Don't ask me why when it isn't cool at all! Whenever my coach sees me or any of my teammates do this, he'll always ask us to stop.

Now I bet you're thinking what this has to do with Magic.

At that point in time, I have no idea what they has to do with playing chess as well. But looking back, changing a habit requires concentration and internal focus, one skill which helps immensely in a game of the mind.

In chess and in Magic, there are times when you just make an internalised move. Whenever a chess piece is open, you tend to capture it. Whenever you draw a land, you tend to play it. Observing your impulse to shake your leg and stopping it opens up plays that may be better. Even if you're playing Bolt.dec, there are things to consider. Holding that internalised play of burning at the end of the opponent's turn may be the right play most of the time, but holding that urge sometimes will enable you to dodge that counterspell waiting for you.

So, stop shaking your legs and start observing your inner tendencies. It'll lead you to better plays.

Or at least annoy your coach less.

Don't move if there's no good moves

Another mantra my coach had stuck to is to not make any move if there are no good options. In Magic, this translates to playing to your win/outs.

Magic, like chess, is a game of the mind. Wins come from making brilliant choices amongst the multiple options you have in your hand, board, graveyard, even your Wishboard. You just have to spend the time and effort to analyse them and to make a good choice.

This is especially important when you're in a losing position. Think through how you can dig yourself out of the hole and play towards that. If you need to top deck a Time Spiral within 2 turns to win, that is the only good move and you have to save that Brainstorm until the very last minute. If you absolutely need to open a hand with Leyline of the Void, mulligan all the way down until 1.

Ask yourself how you can win, starting from turn 0, and play the match that way. Don't be a headless fly. Don't move unless you have a good move.

When he's grabbing your crotch, go for his throat!

That's just exactly what you expect from a bunch of guys.

In Chinese Chess, pieces differ in power. The Chariot/Castle is more powerful than the Pawn, but the most powerful piece is the King – without it, you lose the game! Thus, my coach always told us that whenever the opponent is threatening your Knight, you threaten his Chariot. If he's threatening your Chariot, aim at his King.

Don't keep defending where the enemy attacks. You won't develop your board position. The best attack is the best defence. Attack where the enemy must defend!

In a game of Magic, your opponent may be doing fanciful things such as casting Hymn to Tourach and Stifling your fetchland. Yes, these are powerful plays at early points in the game but as the game goes on, their usefulness decreased and they often make poor topdecks. Find out what your strategy is, defend by Forcing that spell if you must. Otherwise, save it to counter the opponent's Plow when he needs it most.

Know the matchup well and know what is important to your opponent. Then play towards that. Go for the throat!

Summary

These are just some of the things that I've learn from chess. What do you think about them? Let me know if you have more to share by commenting below or on my facebook page!

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