Checkmate with conviction

In a dramatic face-off with Carlsen, Gukesh didn’t panic—he stayed focused and turned the game around. His quiet discipline holds powerful lessons for investors navigating market noise.

Think of investing like a chess game. It’s not about one brilliant move or outsmarting everyone at the table. It’s about staying calm, thinking several moves ahead and making small, intentional choices—especially in tough times. Great investors and chess players don’t panic. They trust the process, stay patient and keep showing up. That calm, quiet discipline builds long-term success.

On May 26, 2025, India’s genius D Gukesh played Magnus Carlsen at Norway Chess. He was seriously behind—Carlsen was dominant. But Gukesh kept his cool. That unwavering determination turned the game around. His tribute to resilience reminds us that in chess and wealth creation, patience and self-belief often lead to enduring success.

From brink to breakthrough: Gukesh’s resilience for investors

The match had all the drama. Carlsen, the world champ, was in full control—up by +2.5 pawns, which is almost game over. But Gukesh didn’t fold. No heroics. No heroics. No spotlight-grabbing moves. He just stayed in it. As his coach said, “He kept kicking”.

That quiet fight mirrors investing. When your portfolio is in the red, it’s easy to panic. But those moments test what you’re really made of. Strength lies in staying calm and thinking long-term.

As chess master Emanuel Lasker said, “The hardest game to win is a won game”. In investing, too, success isn’t final, and setbacks aren’t fatal. It’s a marathon.

And like the old saying goes, “The tree that bends does not break”. You adjust, stay grounded, and keep showing up. That’s how you last.

Navigating the financial chessboard: Mutual fund strategy

Investing in mutual funds is like chess. Guesswork and gut instinct aren’t enough. You need a strategy that reflects your goals. Chess great Viktor Korchnoi once said, “Endurance is more important than ambition”. The same concept is true for wealth creation.

Develop your fund game plan: Before you even start, you should ask yourself: Why am I investing? For how long? Is a SIP better, or lumpsum or an STP? Choose based on your risk tolerance, lifestyle and patience.

Selecting the right funds (protect your king): Do not chase performance. Look further. Assess fund managers, their consistency and behaviour during market storms. Look for funds that match your temperament and not just your expectations for returns.

Think in moves, not the headlines: The news will distract you. Stick to your plan. Think wisely about volatility and stay consistent. Find time to read fund commentaries; they often tell you more than the numbers.

Maintain discipline and patience: Markets will scare you. Remain level-headed. Real wealth is created by remaining invested, not reacting out of fear.

Carlsen’s legacy vs Gukesh’s focus: A mutual fund lesson on fit over fame

The world backed Carlsen. But Gukesh didn’t chase glory. He played his game and won. That says a lot about investing, too.

We often think yesterday’s winning fund will keep winning. But markets change, just like a chessboard. Past performance is a comfort, not a compass.

Many fall for recency bias—believing recent high returns mean future success. But that’s like thinking the last chess winner will always win again. It doesn’t hold. SPIVA data backs it up. Less than 20 per cent of top-performing equity funds stay in that top tier over five years. The takeaway? Don’t chase winners—stick to what fits your plan.

Consider two friends, Ram and Shyam, who both started SIPs of Rs 10,000/month in January 2020. Ram chased last year’s chart-topper. Shyam picked a fund aligned with his long-term goals and temperament.

I’m not saying one fund was better than the other—that’s not the point. What really matters is fit.  Does the fund align with your goals, risk comfort and how you think about investing? That’s what counts. A fund’s philosophy, process, and consistency are what shape long-term outcomes.

Returns are the result; philosophy is the engine. So don’t chase past winners—choose a fund you understand and can stick with. In the long run, alignment always beats excitement.

The pursuit of financial serenity

Real financial peace doesn’t come from predicting market turns. It comes from playing a game you understand. Gukesh stayed calm and composed, even against a giant like Carlsen. His strength wasn’t loud—it came from quiet focus and deep intent.

Investing works the same way. You build wealth by following a plan that fits you, taking steady steps and choosing funds that align with your goals, not market noise.

Wealth isn’t created through chaos. It grows through clarity, consistency and quiet effort. Often, the best lessons come in the silent stretches, far from the crowd.

“Good positions don’t win games, good moves do.” — Gerald Abrahams.

In investing, too, it’s not just where you are—it’s the patient, thoughtful moves you keep making that shape lasting success.

Arpit Nayak is part of sales team at WhiteOak Capital Mutual Fund. He enjoys writing to simplify investing by providing clear insights and focusing on the behavioural aspects of financial decisions. He believes that smart choices come from clarity, not complexity.

Investing isn’t about bold moves. It’s about the right ones.
Like Gukesh’s quiet resilience on the chessboard, wealth is built through thoughtful choices and patient discipline. At Value Research Fund Advisor, we help you craft a mutual fund strategy that fits your goals, risk comfort and temperament—so you can stay the course, even when the market plays rough.

Play the long game with clarity.

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