It’s Chess-Mate!

I am just laughing silently at the title. It’s probably the best thing I have come up with in the last few days. #Sigh, I miss working in an agency surrounded by GenZs who’d have their eyes rolling at that dad-joke I just cracked.

Also, fair warning: What you see ahead in terms of the text, is all AI. I have taken the help of Claude and created a LinkedIn-esque “funny / meme-worthy” article. Please don’t overlook the emojis or the hashtags.

So take it away, AI!

5 GAME-CHANGING Life Lessons I Learnt While Photographing a Chess Tournament

I want to share how spending 8 hours each day over 3 days crouched in uncomfortable positions watching people stare at pieces of wood COMPLETELY REVOLUTIONISED my approach to photography (and life)! #ChessWisdom #MindsetMatters

1. Patience isn’t just a virtue—it is THE virtue 🧘‍♂️

I watched grandmasters spend 45 minutes contemplating a single move while I held my camera steady, crouched, hunched or kneeling like in prayer.

In our world of instant gratification, remember: sometimes the biggest ROI comes from simply WAITING for the perfect moment! When was the last time you gave yourself permission to think deeply?

2. The Best View Requires Discomfort 📸

My knees are STILL recovering from hours spent in awkward positions to capture the perfect angle.

REMINDER: Growth happens outside your comfort zone! If you’re not physically uncomfortable, are you even disrupting your industry? #NoGrowthWithoutPain

3. Your Network Determines Your Net Worth 🤝

The drone that one of my colleagues brought along crashed into an invisible wire and kaput, we were left scrambling as to how we would document the opening ceremony. But, we had a network we could call upon and they stepped in within MINUTES.

As the saying goes, “Your emergency isn’t MY emergency”—unless we’ve built genuine relationships! Who’s in YOUR corner when systems fail?

4. Age Is Just a Variable in Your Success Algorithm ⏳

The tournament featured players from AGE 5 to 80+. The 5-year-old had better concentration than most executives I’ve worked with! QUESTION: What limiting beliefs about your age are holding YOU back from becoming a thought leader in your space?

My LinkedInesque take: It’s never too late or too early to begin. Find what you love and just do it.

5. Masters Never Stop Mastering 🏆

During breaks, the players weren’t scrolling social media—they were playing MORE CHESS on their phones! This goes to show that true experts don’t clock out from excellence. Are you bringing that same dedication to your craft, or are you just putting in hours? #10XMindset

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Agree? Disagree? I’d love to hear YOUR game-changing insights in the comments below! And remember to follow for more disruptive thoughts on how ordinary experiences contain EXTRAORDINARY business lessons!

#MondayMotivation #ChessMasters #EntrepreneurMindset #PersonalDevelopment #ThoughtLeadership #DisruptiveThinking #NetworkIsNetWorth

Alright that was fun. Now for the very thing that got you here: my images. As I mentioned in my Instagram post, I played a small game of 4D chess with myself and I have edited 64 images in black and white to commemorate my time spent covering this 2nd Edition of Namma Bengaluru International Grandmasters Open Chess Tournament 2025.

Do let me know in the comments below what you think of the images…bah! who am I kidding 😛