Dr Can's Chess Clinic podcast appearance
We had a great, free flowing conversation on Dr Can Kabadayi's podcast. Catch it on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts!
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© 2025 Benjamin Portheault
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Hi Ben! Great content as always. I have many questions, but let's focus on routines. I loved the lemon juice analogy, but it gave me a pause.
You say that in order to reach a good state of mind I need to remember what it feels like to be in one. For me it could be e.g. confidence, creativity, grit. I can remember moments in my games when I displayed those and try to evoke that feeling.
But that appears very different from what we usually talk about as pre-game routines though? Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think that tennis players rehearse their best shots while bouncing the ball before serving, it seems like they just try to reset to some default. Similar with players adjusting their pieces or meditating before the game.
Perhaps the point is that professionals already have an excellent base mindset that they only have to return to? Whereas I as a normal person already struggle a lot and a very good mental state is something extraordinary?
I enjoyed the conversation. I'd love to know more about what a basic pre-game routine should accomplish. Any ideas?