What I learned playing against world-class players

The following endgame from the 2018 Olympiad illustrates how even completely equal positions can become uncomfortable if your opponent keeps searching for chances.

In this next game from the European Team Championship I obtained a very promising attacking position against Magnus Carlsen, but the practical difficulties of converting it turned out to be greater than expected.

Against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov I again obtained a very good position, but once more it proved surprisingly difficult to convert the advantage.

Looking back at these games, three recurring traits of elite players stood out to me in particular:

1. Constantly creating practical chances
2. Excellent time management
3. Incredible resilience in bad positions

For players who want to improve, striving to develop these qualities might be just as important as studying openings or solving tactics.

This was just a small excerpt from my games. Throughout my career I have had many more encounters with the world’s best players, both in tournaments and in training camps. If you enjoy reading about these kinds of experiences, feel free to let me know. I would be happy to share more in the future.