You’ve studied countless positions. You know your openings. Your tactics are sharp.

But when you sit down in a tournament, something shifts. A tough loss throws you off mentally. You face a higher-rated opponent and freeze. You don’t know how to make critical decisions under pressure.

The difference between a club player and a champion isn’t just knowledge—it’s psychology and decision-making.

That’s exactly what Gukesh mastered on his journey to becoming World Champion. And now, we’ll break down how Gukesh handled these moments — and how you can apply the same thinking.