--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's easy to reach a certain level with…" description: "\"It's easy to reach a certain level with chess, but it's very hard to reach the next level.\" — Jan Vertonghen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/jan-vertonghen-7926_certain-level_it-s-easy-to-reach-a-certain-level-with_135836.jpg" --- # It's easy to reach a certain level with chess, but it's… ![“It's easy to reach a certain level with chess, but it's very hard to reach the next level.” quote by Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/jan-vertonghen-7926_certain-level_it-s-easy-to-reach-a-certain-level-with_135836.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/jan-vertonghen-7926_certain-level_it-s-easy-to-reach-a-certain-level-with_135836.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/jan-vertonghen-7926_certain-level_it-s-easy-to-reach-a-certain-level-with_135836.jpg) > “It's easy to reach a certain level with chess, but it's very hard to reach the next level.” [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Progress in chess requires mastering fundamentals, but advancing further demands deeper strategic insight and mental resilience. **In simple terms:** Basic skill gets you far, higher skill needs more effort. Key Takeaway Invest in deeper study and mental toughness. Themes growth skill challenge resilience Mood determined focused reflective Type advice motivational When to use this quote - tournament preparation - coaching sessions - personal study routines Key Concepts deliberate practice mental conditioning strategic depth Questions to Reflect On - What specific skill gaps limit your next level? - How can you structure practice to break plateaus? A Different Perspective Improvement may plateau without proper guidance or resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chess/) [Next level](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next-level/) ## Related quotes > [Because of the level of my chess game, I was able - even against a weak opponent, such as my younger brothers or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/because-of-the-level-of-my-chess-game-i-was-able-even-against-a-weak/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [Chess and me, it's hard to take them apart. It's like my alter ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-fischer/chess-and-me-it-s-hard-to-take-them-apart-it-s-like-my-alter-ego/) [Bobby Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-fischer/) > [Get comfortable being uncomfortable, that's how you break the plateau and reach the next level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chalene-johnson/get-comfortable-being-uncomfortable-that-s-how-you-break-the-plateau/) [Chalene Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chalene-johnson/) > [I always take a relationship to the next level. If that works out, I take it to the next level after that, until I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-chappelle/i-always-take-a-relationship-to-the-next-level-if-that-works-out-i/) [Dave Chappelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-chappelle/) > [I think for me the main goal that I have, or at least what I really aspire to, is to raise the level of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hikaru-nakamura/i-think-for-me-the-main-goal-that-i-have-or-at-least-what-i-really/) [Hikaru Nakamura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hikaru-nakamura/) > [The objective level is not words, and cannot be reached by words alone. We must point our finger and be silent, or we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-korzybski/the-objective-level-is-not-words-and-cannot-be-reached-by-words-alone/) [Alfred Korzybski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-korzybski/) > [Thierry Henry is Thierry Henry. I still have everything to prove. By continuing to work, I will try to reach his level, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-martial/thierry-henry-is-thierry-henry-i-still-have-everything-to-prove-by/) [Anthony Martial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-martial/) > [Criticize me when you reach my level, meanwhile, ADMIRE me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/criticize-me-when-you-reach-my-level-meanwhile-admire-me/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Tryna reach a level where no music is put over mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mac-miller/tryna-reach-a-level-where-no-music-is-put-over-mine/) [Mac Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mac-miller/) > [I don't think I can reach the level that my parents have achieved. Wherever I can reach, I will focus on that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshara-haasan/i-don-t-think-i-can-reach-the-level-that-my-parents-have-achieved/) [Akshara Haasan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshara-haasan/) > [People talk behind your back. for 3 reason, \*when they can't reach your level, \*when they don't have what you have, \*when they try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keren-zhims/people-talk-behind-your-back-for-3-reason-when-they-can-t-reach-your/) [Keren Zhims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keren-zhims/) > [I simply want to reach a level where I will never cease to make progress...so that, even on the bad evenings, I may never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonny-rollins/i-simply-want-to-reach-a-level-where-i-will-never-cease-to-make/) [Sonny Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonny-rollins/) > [I'm very aware that to reach the same level and have the same amount of success will be extremely difficult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurent-jalabert/i-m-very-aware-that-to-reach-the-same-level-and-have-the-same-amount/) [Laurent Jalabert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurent-jalabert/) > [I have worked long and hard to reach the level I have reached.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-hodgson/i-have-worked-long-and-hard-to-reach-the-level-i-have-reached/) [Roy Hodgson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-hodgson/) > [God did not create us to reach one level and then stop. For He knows the plans He has for us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercy-pheona/god-did-not-create-us-to-reach-one-level-and-then-stop-for-he-knows/) [Mercy Pheona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercy-pheona/) ## More by Jan Vertonghen > [I've played with some great players and against some great players, and Sonny is special, he's so humble and I think that you underestimate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/i-ve-played-with-some-great-players-and-against-some-great-players/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [It was my task to train hard and respect my team-mates all the time I wasn't playing or was on the bench, so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/it-was-my-task-to-train-hard-and-respect-my-team-mates-all-the-time-i/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [The FA Cup is very important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/the-fa-cup-is-very-important/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [Of course you have Messi and Ronaldo. And then you've got a lot of players who are very close to each other and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/of-course-you-have-messi-and-ronaldo-and-then-you-ve-got-a-lot-of/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [Obviously you have to trust the VAR to make the right decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/obviously-you-have-to-trust-the-var-to-make-the-right-decision/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [To play for a team in the Premier League would be amazing and that's what I am going for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/to-play-for-a-team-in-the-premier-league-would-be-amazing-and-that-s/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [The pace is unbelievable in the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/the-pace-is-unbelievable-in-the-premier-league/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [The interest of a great club like Barcelona is certainly flattering. That is confirmation that I am doing a good job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/the-interest-of-a-great-club-like-barcelona-is-certainly-flattering/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [My favourite thing, what I want of course, is to play in the Champions League with Tottenham.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/my-favourite-thing-what-i-want-of-course-is-to-play-in-the-champions/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [Revenge - I don't think in these words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/revenge-i-don-t-think-in-these-words/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [If I play, even at left-back, I do my best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/if-i-play-even-at-left-back-i-do-my-best/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [I have never fought in my life but I can be very angry, especially on the pitch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/i-have-never-fought-in-my-life-but-i-can-be-very-angry-especially-on/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [I can play at left-back and I can help the team at times. But everyone knows I am not a left-back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/i-can-play-at-left-back-and-i-can-help-the-team-at-times-but-everyone/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [The atmosphere in England is absolutely amazing and I'd be delighted to play in the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/the-atmosphere-in-england-is-absolutely-amazing-and-i-d-be-delighted/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [I have friends who are Gent fans, and I always drive past their stadium when I go to see my grandmother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/i-have-friends-who-are-gent-fans-and-i-always-drive-past-their/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) [Explore all 86 Jan Vertonghen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) ## More Certain level quotes > [When I get to a certain level, I'll start going by Daystar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tory-lanez/when-i-get-to-a-certain-level-i-ll-start-going-by-daystar/) [Tory Lanez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tory-lanez/) > [One industrial age belief is that GDP or GNP is a measure of progress. I don't care if you're the President of China or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-senge/one-industrial-age-belief-is-that-gdp-or-gnp-is-a-measure-of-progress/) [Peter Senge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-senge/) > [I love it when you have to perform at a certain level or else. That's when I'm at my best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dababy/i-love-it-when-you-have-to-perform-at-a-certain-level-or-else-that-s/) [DaBaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dababy/) > [There are a lot of folks at Fox News who bring a certain level of sophistication to their understanding of politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-shuster/there-are-a-lot-of-folks-at-fox-news-who-bring-a-certain-level-of/) [David Shuster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-shuster/) > [It is a good thing to be nice but to get to a certain level you have to have that bite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ward-prowse/it-is-a-good-thing-to-be-nice-but-to-get-to-a-certain-level-you-have/) [James Ward-Prowse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ward-prowse/) > [There are a lot of good ideas that could benefit from big media. You have a lot of companies that hit a wall and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-levinsohn/there-are-a-lot-of-good-ideas-that-could-benefit-from-big-media-you/) [Ross Levinsohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-levinsohn/) > [As an artist, you need to be not at all entitled in your relation with the work. So money is kind of worrying. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-catton/as-an-artist-you-need-to-be-not-at-all-entitled-in-your-relation-with/) [Eleanor Catton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-catton/) > [Privacy is important to me. But it's not just about sticking two fingers up and saying I don't want anyone to know my business.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-dormer/privacy-is-important-to-me-but-it-s-not-just-about-sticking-two/) [Natalie Dormer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-dormer/) > [The 'OK Plateau' is that place we all get to where we just stop getting better at something. Take typing, for example. You might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/the-ok-plateau-is-that-place-we-all-get-to-where-we-just-stop-getting/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [In art, at a certain level, there is no 'better than.' It's just about trying to operate for yourself on the most supreme level,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/in-art-at-a-certain-level-there-is-no-better-than-it-s-just-about/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [Once you get to a certain level, anybody can beat anybody else on any given day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-roddick/once-you-get-to-a-certain-level-anybody-can-beat-anybody-else-on-any/) [Andy Roddick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-roddick/) > [When you're representing a sport, people are more likely to judge and comment as, unlike other fields, sport permits every viewer to participate to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijender-singh/when-you-re-representing-a-sport-people-are-more-likely-to-judge-and/) [Vijender Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijender-singh/) > [I'm not particularly good at running things when once they get to a certain level. Once it gets routine, get me out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mckelvey/i-m-not-particularly-good-at-running-things-when-once-they-get-to-a/) [Jim McKelvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mckelvey/) > [As long as I can play at a certain level, that's what I'll do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitri-payet/as-long-as-i-can-play-at-a-certain-level-that-s-what-i-ll-do/) [Dimitri Payet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitri-payet/) > [It takes a certain level of aspiration before one can take advantage of opportunities that are clearly offered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-harrington/it-takes-a-certain-level-of-aspiration-before-one-can-take-advantage/) [Michael Harrington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-harrington/) Browse all 57 Certain level quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's easy to reach a certain level with chess, but it's very hard to reach the next level.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jan Vertonghen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/it-s-easy-to-reach-a-certain-level-with-chess-but-it-s-very-hard-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Certain level" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/it-s-easy-to-reach-a-certain-level-with-chess-but-it-s-very-hard-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/jan-vertonghen-7926_certain-level_it-s-easy-to-reach-a-certain-level-with_135836.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/jan-vertonghen-7926_certain-level_it-s-easy-to-reach-a-certain-level-with_135836.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/jan-vertonghen-7926_certain-level_it-s-easy-to-reach-a-certain-level-with_135836.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's easy to reach a certain level with chess, but it's very hard to reach the next level.” — Jan Vertonghen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jan Vertonghen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's easy to reach a certain...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/it-s-easy-to-reach-a-certain-level-with-chess-but-it-s-very-hard-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/it-s-easy-to-reach-a-certain-level-with-chess-but-it-s-very-hard-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```