How to turn an ordinary player into a champion in 5 days

Introduction

Become a champion in 5 days. Is it possible? The story of Ruryk proves that yes.

The story that changed everything

Ruryk, the son of one of our colleagues, used to seriously study at a chess school some time ago and got a 4th category. Then he played for some time only with friends. His rating on Chess.com was 1400 — not bad for an amateur, but not enough for the ambitions that were smouldering somewhere deep inside.

When we offered him to take part in our new Rapid Challenge, the conditions were as follows: 5 days, 3 wins every day in a 10-minute Rapid.

But what happened next exceeded all expectations.

Transformation: 1400 to 1505 in 5 days.

The first results were impressive in themselves. For five days of intensive play Ruryk’s rating grew from 1400 to a confident 1505 points. One hundred and five points of growth is a serious achievement for any chess player.

But the numbers tell only half the story. The main change took place in the mind. Every day of the Challenge, Ruryk felt his confidence in his own abilities grow. The need to win three games every day forced him to play more consciously, to analyse every move, to look for the best solutions in difficult positions.

Real triumph: from online to real victories

The most amazing thing happened after the Challenge was over. Ruryk felt such a surge of confidence that he went to a real chess tournament.

And he didn’t just participate. He won a prize! What’s more, he officially confirmed his 3rd rank, having risen from 4th. The guy who a week ago doubted his abilities became a medallist in a real tournament.

This was no accident. The Challenge taught him not only to play better, but also to believe in himself. He realised he could set ambitious goals and achieve them.

‘I used to just play with my peers for fun,’ says Ruryk. — ‘And now I’ve realised I can do more. And it’s all thanks to the challenge.’

The psychology of success: how the system works

Why has a simple five-day challenge been so effective? The secret lies in several psychological principles of ChallengeMe.

Specificity of the goal. Instead of a vague ‘to become better at chess’, the participant gets a clear goal: 3 wins per day. The brain understands exactly what needs to be done and focuses on the result.

Daily reward. Each day brings a sense of accomplishment. Three wins is not just a number, it’s a daily affirmation of your own strength.

Measurable progress. The ranking grows every day and the participant sees concrete results of their efforts. This creates a powerful motivation to keep going.

From virtual to real

Ruryk’s story shows how online accomplishments carry over into real life. It’s not just a challenge — it’s character training. When a person gets used to winning in a challenge, they start looking for opportunities to win in other areas as well.

ChallengeMe — where every game brings you closer to the best version of yourself, and every victory opens new horizons of possibilities.