Nicholas Sloan is a Wisconsin-based Network Engineer, a dad of 4, and an extremely motivated chess improver. Usually. But after an incredible run of gaining 500+ rating points in two years, fueled by consistent hard work and a unique study approach, Nick hit a wall. He gave back 150 rating points, and lost his motivation to work hard on chess. That can happen when you are a family man who is working full-time,  studying for multiple hours a day, and creating chess content on top of that. Nick took time away to read some quality chess books, and to recalibrate his chess improvement plans. In our conversation Nick tells me: 
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Why, after reflection,  he has decided that the lofty goal of earning the National Master title is still worth pursuing. 
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How a few chess books opened his eyes to the work he still had to do 
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What he intends to do next
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</ul>
As a longtime reader of <a href="https://substack.com/@highgroundchess">Nick’s blog</a>, I was excited to finally chat with him, and I look forward to following his continued success. 
Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:
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02:00- Nicholas joins the show- check out his rating graph here:
<a href="https://www.uschess.org/datapage/ratings_graph.php?memid=12772484">https://www.uschess.org/datapage/ratings_graph.php?memid=12772484</a>
05:00- What does Nick think contributed to his recent slump?
14:00- What effect did reading GM Jonathan Rowson’s books have on Nick?
Mentioned: Book Recap #14: Seven Deadly Chess Sins
<a href="https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2021/1/29/book-recap-the-seven-deadly-chess-sins">https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2021/1/29/book-recap-the-seven-deadly-chess-sins</a>
Book Recap #32: Chess for Zebras 
<a href="https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2021/1/29/book-recap-the-seven-deadly-chess-sins">https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2021/1/29/book-recap-the-seven-deadly-chess-sins</a>
20:00- More book recs!
Mentioned: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Road-Chess-Improvement-Alex-Yermolinsky-ebook/dp/B007I6QGPC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2MYNJANVCIAN2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.shcYxKDiJZo-yjCQLcFppssPxe1XzGOA4mHTS0US-BX8HIhz_l1zR8EvizMG3scyg3JGo53yKqoVrc-pUptBoGfOXI1ukCKPfI8CZArQYRoDl5B0AOp1AWj3R27mS4cSs8ykE2m_10PezU3iD8LZ_g.4o-DEy8SuwbBdlu1doRMJuDYweeW9Jj27dgPk_y8UX4&dib_tag=se&keywords=road+to+chess+improvement&qid=1753990058&s=books&sprefix=road+to+chess+improvement%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-1">Road to Chess Improvement</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Improvement-Its-all-mindset-ebook/dp/B08KHY4S6B/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TD5C5TMT523C&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UHPRssE7F7IRHsuo-2d8Vw.hzvABp8EZQwUPaBVcmV1NdsCVh80qBVPitKTUTRx2zs&dib_tag=se&keywords=chess+improvement+its+all+in+the+mindset&qid=1753990005&s=books&sprefix=chess+improvement+its+all+in+the+mindset%2Cstripbooks%2C90&sr=1-1">Chess Improvement: It’s All in the Mindset</a>
22:00- How did Nick adjust to being an emotional player?
24:00- How has Nick changed his approach?
Mentioned:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pump-Your-Rating-Axel-Smith/dp/1907982736/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CFRIR3TQRWGB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.J6xZBJcPNkMQ0-WMielP_9pDsI80qGd6GuRa86lEgTJcbExYhDcscL5e-cJ-cn-_.nD4qlYUpG_DiLwB46uzFhuAcyeqdr5ZeT5UCbKVnhek&dib_tag=se&keywords=pump+up+your+rating&qid=1753990069&s=books&sprefix=pump+up+your+rating%2Cstripbooks%2C69&sr=1-1"> Pump Up Your Rating </a>
27:00- What thought process is Nick using over the board?
Mentioned: GM Alexander Goldin 
28:00- What did Nick learn from the book Rapid Chess Improvement ?
Mentioned: CT-Art , Chessking App
32:00- How Nick avoids burnout
Mentioned: <a href="https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2020/4/14/episode-173-uscf-master-philemon-thomas">Episode 173 with NM Philemon Thomas</a>, GM Johan Hellsten’s Mastering Chess Strategy
35:00- Why does Nick focus on local club tournaments rather than big weekend ones? Mentioned: Episode 346 with NM Todd Bryant 
40:00- Does Nick play a narrow or wide repertoire? 
44:00- How many tournament games does Nick aim to play per year? 
46:00- Nick’s approach to game analysis 
50:00- Thanks to Nick for joining! Here is his linktree that provides many ways to keep up with him:
<a href="https://linktr.ee/HighgroundChess">https://linktr.ee/HighgroundChess</a>
If you would like to join the Perpetual Chess Patreon community, you can do so here:
<a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess">https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess</a>
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EP 445- “It Worked So Well That I Stopped Doing It”: Adult Improver Nicholas Sloan on Dealing with Burnout After a Rapid Rating Rise

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