1% Better

In this week’s episode I talk with Alexander Baburin, Ireland’s only Chess Grandmaster currently. I’ve always had an interest in Chess – playing badly but the strategy, the history, and the focus required be a great chess player!The podcast gives me a wonderful opportunity to talk with experts in their fields and I was delighted when Alexander agreed to come on and talk about the world of chess and his career. Here is a summary of the topics we discussed during the episode. I hope you enjoy!Summary Topics:•The 10,000 hour rule and the Grandmaster •Hard work v Talent •Bounce, Matthew Zayed and deliberate practice•Playing the Polgar sisters – 2 making grandmasters and 1 international master•Women Grandmaster titles and full Grandmasters •Growing up in Russia (Gorky) •Discovering Chess at the age of 7 and being taught the rules by his dad •Joining a Chess club in school and quickly realising this was something he really liked •3-4 years later, becoming seriously hooked and starting to play 10+ hours per week•Ea