A Great Way to Deal with Things When Playing Chess is Not Joyful Anymore

When Joy Turns Into Pressure

Somewhere along the way, the joy we once felt starts to fade. We become result-oriented, driven by rating gains, trophies, cash prizes—or simply the pressure of expectations.
We start to chase outcomes, and in doing so, we often lose the connection that made chess special to us in the first place.
“When you lose the joy behind your actions and look at chess only as a game of winning or losing,
you sever the beautiful bond you had with the game.”
I see this happening a lot with young players I coach. What started as a hobby they loved turns into an obligation. The sparkle fades. They prepare too much, overthink too much, and forget to simply enjoy the process.

My Chess Beginning

When I was 6.5 years old, I discovered a chessboard at home. There was something mystical about it. Every day after school, I would set it up and play both sides—no formal training, no coaching. Just pure fascination.
That’s how my journey began. And now, 22.5 years later, as a Grandmaster, coach, and author, I still feel the same JOY being around the board. Not because I’m chasing results every day, but because I love this game.

What To Do If You’ve Lost the Joy

If you’re training daily but something feels “off”...
If the spark seems to be missing...

Slow down.

Take a short break.
Give yourself time to reconnect with the beauty of the game.
Try going back to the basics—solve fun tactics, play casual games, or analyze old classics. Do things that remind you why you started playing chess in the first place.

It’s Okay To Compete—But Don’t Forget Why You Started

Of course, competing for prizes, rating, or titles is not bad. It gives us goals and motivation. But your self-worth as a chess player should never be tied to numbers or medals.
There will be tough moments—bad tournaments, rating drops, and doubts.
You might ask yourself: Why am I even playing this game? What’s the point?
When that happens, pause and remember this:

You started playing because you LOVED the game, not because you won something.

Learn From the Greats

The most successful athletes—whether it's Vishwanathan Anand, Ronnie O’Sullivan, or Serena Williams—achieved greatness not just by training hard, but by training sustainably and with JOY.

They didn’t obsess over every loss. They enjoyed the journey.

A Simple Reminder

Next time you set up the chessboard, try to feel the same joy and curiosity you felt the first time you touched the pieces. Let that feeling guide your moves, your training, and your love for the game.

Thanks for reading! If this article resonated with you, feel free to share it with others. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments—what topics would you like me to explore in future blog posts?

If you have a different take on anything I shared, I welcome that too!
Stay joyful,
Grandmaster & FIDE Trainer Priyadharshan Kannappan