Nicholas Sloan is a Wisconsin-based Network Engineer, a dad of 4, and an extremely motivated chess improver. Usually. But after an incredible run of gaining 500+ rating points in two years, fueled by consistent hard work and a unique study approach, Nick hit a wall. He gave back 150 rating points, and lost his motivation to work hard on chess. That can happen when you are a family man who is working full-time,  studying for multiple hours a day, and creating chess content on top of that. Nick took time away to read some quality chess books, and to recalibrate his chess improvement plans. In our conversation Nick tells me: 

Why, after reflection,  he has decided that the lofty goal of earning the National Master title is still worth pursuing. 

How a few chess books opened his eyes to the work he still had to do 

What he intends to do next

As a longtime reader of Nick’s blog, I was excited to finally chat with him, and I look forward to following his continued success. 

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02:00- Nicholas joins the show- check out his rating graph here:

https://www.uschess.org/datapage/ratings_graph.php?memid=12772484

05:00- What does Nick think contributed to his recent slump?

14:00- What effect did reading GM Jonathan Rowson’s books have on Nick?

Mentioned: Book Recap #14: Seven Deadly Chess Sins

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2021/1/29/book-recap-the-seven-deadly-chess-sins

Book Recap #32: Chess for Zebras 

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2021/1/29/book-recap-the-seven-deadly-chess-sins

20:00- More book recs!

Mentioned: Road to Chess Improvement

Chess Improvement: It’s All in the Mindset

22:00- How did Nick adjust to being an emotional player?

24:00- How has Nick changed his approach?

Mentioned: Pump Up Your Rating 

27:00- What thought process is Nick using over the board?

Mentioned: GM Alexander Goldin 

28:00- What did Nick learn from the book Rapid Chess Improvement ?

Mentioned: CT-Art , Chessking App

32:00- How Nick avoids burnout

Mentioned: Episode 173 with NM Philemon Thomas, GM Johan Hellsten’s Mastering Chess Strategy

35:00- Why does Nick focus on local club tournaments rather than big weekend ones? Mentioned: Episode 346 with NM Todd Bryant 

40:00- Does Nick play a narrow or wide repertoire? 

44:00- How many tournament games does Nick aim to play per year? 

46:00- Nick’s approach to game analysis 

50:00- Thanks to Nick for joining! Here is his linktree that provides many ways to keep up with him:

https://linktr.ee/HighgroundChess

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