Admitting defeat too soon is for losers

Admitting defeat too soon is for losers
Saturday, May 9, 2009 3:07 AM
By SHELBY LYMAN

Performance psychology is a fascinating subject.

In a sense, life — including competitive pursuits such as chess — is an ongoing performance determined by culture (the rules of the game), individual psychology and objective factors (the state of the playing field).

We often hear it said that one should stay within oneself — that is, not do too little or too much.

This desirable posture maximizes the pressure on the opponent, who will achieve no easy victories.

Winning a won position is commonly acknowledged as one of the most difficult feats in chess. There is many a slip between cup and lip.
Even between top grandmasters, a game often has

to be retrieved or won numerous times as the advantage shifts, however slightly, from move to move.

Chess teaches us that, in everyday life, there is always a chance to regroup rather than admit premature defeat.

Here is the full article.