Superior investment returns are not gained without PAIN, TIME, INTROSPECTION and DOUBT.

http://blogs.wsj.com/financial-adviser/2010/02/25/ten-things-i-learned-while-trading-for-victor-niederhoffer/
 
 I could have pasted the above article but not sure if that would be approved
by equitydesk administrators.
 Some of the points match my recent insights.
 I was just a casual chess player. I  took it seriously 6 months back and am studying the deep theoretical aspects as well as playing high level tournaments. I think it has helped my decision making in stocks immensely.I am comparing the 2 activities and learning a lot on what to focus on in investments.After all pattern recognition is the needed skill in both.
  Also,I am studying deliberate practice as applied to chess and investments.

manish_okhade,
Personally,I think I have become sharper(and calmer because high level chess is very stressful) and started to think in new ways.For instance,I instinctively felt Trent was being manipulated just before warrant delisting and exited completely at peak price much against my logical thinking.
 More about the parallels later.

manish_okhade,
                            In chess pattern recognition is the key.Higher level players are simply more familiar with more patterns.So they know what to do.In stocks also its the same.Jim Rogers knows stock market and economic history like few others and so understands and takes advantage of current situation.
 Also,there is a saying-Stock market is an expensive place to find out who you are.Chess is far cheaper to learn those lessons.As Kasparov says weakness of character  is reflected in your chess.I learnt that I am often impulsive.That I must rely more on my powerful subconscious.While playing important tournaments,I move away from the scene every now and then even in complex situations.When I come back often I notice something new and important instantly.Therefore,Its more than a month since I visited the broker as the trading screen just confuses me and supresses my subconscious.So no more decisions in front of the screen.Earlier,I used to go to the broker at least  twice a week and take important decisions sitting in front of the screen.