The Mental Game of Chess

By Jose Valladares

You already know enough chess to be rated 200+ points higher. So why aren't you?

Because you keep blundering in winning positions. You tilt after losses and drop 150 rating points in an hour. You panic in time pressure. You play scared against higher-rated opponents. And you keep promising yourself you'll stop - but the next session, it happens all over again.

The problem isn't your chess knowledge. It's your mental game.

The Mental Game of Chess is the practical, protocol-driven guide to the psychological side of chess that no one teaches you. Written for players rated 800-2000, this book gives you step-by-step systems to eliminate self-sabotage and finally play the chess you're actually capable of.

Inside, you'll find:

The STOP Protocol - A 4-step pre-move checklist that cuts blunders in half
The Anti-Tilt System - Three levels of defense against the #1 rating killer
The Victory Danger Zone - Why you collapse in winning positions, and the Conversion Protocol to fix it
The 5-Question Resignation Test - Know exactly when to fight and when to let go
The 48-Hour Recovery Plan - Bounce back from tilt and losing streaks fast
Time Pressure Survival Kit - Manage your clock and your nerves under 30 seconds
Pre-Game Rituals - The same mental warm-up techniques used by elite competitors
Board-Position Diagrams - See the concepts in action with real chess scenarios
Worksheets & Trackers - Log your mental game progress game by game

This is not another book about openings, tactics, or endgames. This is the missing manual for the computer between your ears. Every technique has been tested in real games by real players under real pressure.

What readers are using this book for:

Stopping the cycle of blundering in won gamesBreaking losing streaks without spiralingPlaying confidently against stronger opponentsManaging tilt, anxiety, and time pressureBuilding a pre-game routine that actually worksEnjoying chess again after burnout

Your worst enemy in chess isn't your opponent. It's the voice in your head telling you you're going to mess this up.

That voice is wrong. You're stronger than you know.

Master your mind. Master the board.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GVZGVTBD
• ISBN13: 9798254792376
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 58 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"