The Cost of Ignoring Intuition: A Championship Regret

Letting Others Decide Your Fate

I'm sure every player reading this text has some games they regret, even if a lot of time has passed since then. A blunder due to nerves or time pressure is something one can forgive oneself for, but to let others decide the fate you hold in your hands, is something much harder to ignore. In the final round, such a situation happened to me in 2018, when a win would have given me first place in the Serbian Individual Championship. With a draw, I still had a chance to take first, but only if other results 'aligned' in my favor, allowing me to have better tie-breaks than my colleagues, Grandmaster Miroslav Marković, and today’s very well-known Grandmaster and national team player Aleksandar Inđić.

The Serbian Individual Championships have always held great value for me, and whenever I participated, I always tried to give my best. In my career, I’ve won the championship once, back in 2010. I am very proud of that result, and this was a big chance to repeat that success. In general, 2018 was perhaps the peak of my form when I crossed a FIDE rating of 2600 and maintained it for about a year. I was supposed to crown that successful period with another title, but I held myself back, hoping I could achieve it through an easier path...

Hesitation, Your Worst Enemy

During that game, of course, adrenaline was at its peak, creating uneasiness and a fast pulse. I entered the game bravely, castling on the queenside, then sacrificing a piece. But in a critical moment, when I spotted the right move, I suddenly hesitated, not trusting myself or believing my eyes that it was indeed a winning move. In the sharp position, where I was down a piece, I needed to play a quiet prophylactic move, then continue the attack on my opponent's king. I didn’t see a full win there, but it was clear to me that this was the path to victory. At the same time, I had the option of repeating moves and drawing the game. My head was in total chaos! In front of me, I had two options: listen to my intuition and risk losing, or draw and hope for the stars to align.

I wrestled with this decision for a long time, and it was all that ran through my mind. In those moments, my concentration totally disappeared, and panic set in, causing me to hallucinate various things. In the end, I decided to take the pressure off myself and entered into a repetition of moves, resulting in a draw.

Aftermath

Afterward, I went to my room with the intention of reviewing the game and that critical moment, which I believed was a missed win. In those moments, before I reached the computer, I only hoped that I was wrong and that the move didn’t actually win the game. I entered the room, turned on the computer, and, of course, saw that it was indeed the winning move—leading to deep disappointment. The other results didn’t go my way either, and in the end, there was a tie for 1st-3rd place. Based on additional criteria, I finished in second place. Although that result was very good per se, coming in second right behind Inđić, there remains a great regret that I didn’t win the title for the second time.

If I were ever in the same or similar situation again, I would certainly listen to my intuition and not pay attention to other games. All in all, it was a very delicate situation because even that draw was enough in some variations, and that caused me the most trouble. Situations where only a win counts are much easier because then you know exactly what you need to do, and the pressure is less.

I regret that decision to this day, and it serves as a constant reminder of the importance of trusting one's instincts. Now, when I teach my students, I make sure to tell them the following:

1. Trust your intuition in critical moments – Hesitating when you've identified the right move can lead to regret, even if the path to victory isn't immediately clear.
2. Stay focused under pressure – In high-stakes situations, it's crucial to maintain concentration, as panic and overthinking can lead to missed opportunities.
3. Take control of your fate – Relying on others' results or external factors can complicate your decisions; aim to secure your victory on your own terms whenever possible.

The Key Lesson

Here are the key lessons that I've learned from my regret.

• Trust Yourself: Relying on your instincts and decisions is crucial, both in chess and in life. Hesitation can lead to missed opportunities and regrets.
• Stay Focused and Calm: Maintaining concentration under pressure is essential. Panic and overthinking can cloud judgment and lead to poor decisions.
• Embrace Creativity: Being open to unconventional moves or strategies can create unexpected advantages. Originality in thinking can lead to success.
• Prepare for Counterplay: Always be aware of your opponent's threats and plan accordingly. Anticipating their moves can help you fortify your position.
• Self-Reliance is Key: In both chess and life, depending on external factors can be risky. It's important to take control of your own destiny and make decisions that directly influence your success.

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