With chess it was almost this palpable electricity that I felt. You're totally in control of your own fate. There's no luck factor. It's you and the pieces.

Most beginners who have learned the point system will only consider a sacrifice if it leads directly to checkmate or if the material can be won back by force. A Grandmaster, though, will frequently sacrifice for less tangible compensation, such as a lead in development or a superior pawn structure.

When your opponent is tied up, always be patient and search for the simplest option.

Time and again, players lose because they make rash decisions. Therefore, you always have to remind yourself - don't hurry. Embarking on a risky combination that cannot be calculated to the end is certainly not the right thing to do.

After every move, ask yourself what does my opponent want to do to me, and how can I prevent it?

It's not 64 squares. It's a battlefield. There's no luck, there's no dice. It's just you and your opponent.