---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I play chess about four hours a day in…"
description: "\"I play chess about four hours a day in training camp. You have to decide what move to use, or what combination of moves. I think less when I box becaus..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8e/lennox-lewis-8053_action_i-play-chess-about-four-hours-a-day-in-t_1978896.jpg"
---

#  I play chess about four hours a day in training camp. You…

![“I play chess about four hours a day in training camp. You have to decide what move to use, or what combination of moves. I think less when I box because the reaction time is a lot quicker, but some people call me the chess boxer because they say I think too much in the ring. I take my time and…” quote by Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8e/lennox-lewis-8053_action_i-play-chess-about-four-hours-a-day-in-t_1978896.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8e/lennox-lewis-8053_action_i-play-chess-about-four-hours-a-day-in-t_1978896.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8e/lennox-lewis-8053_action_i-play-chess-about-four-hours-a-day-in-t_1978896.jpg)

> “I play chess about four hours a day in training camp. You have to decide what move to use, or what combination of moves. I think less when I box because the reaction time is a lot quicker, but some people call me the chess boxer because they say I think too much in the ring. I take my time and they don't see the action they want. Some boxers just go in there and just throw punches and hope to win...”

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Balancing strategic thinking with rapid action; in boxing, overthinking can hinder instinctive performance.

**In simple terms:** Think fast, act faster.

Key Takeaway

Trust instinct in fast-paced situations.

Themes

strategy instinct boxing decisionmaking

Mood

focused determined

Type

motivational strategic

When to use this quote

- training camp
- match preparation
- ring performance

Key Concepts

cognitive load reaction time mental discipline

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you streamline decisions under pressure?
- When should you rely on instinct over analysis?

A Different Perspective

Overanalysis may cause hesitation and missed opportunities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Boxers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boxers/) [Chess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chess/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) [Training camp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training-camp/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/)

## Related quotes

> [I study chess eight hours a day, on principle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-alekhine/i-study-chess-eight-hours-a-day-on-principle/)

[Alexander Alekhine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-alekhine/)

> [“To many people chess is an extreme sport. It requires a lot of thinking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ljupka-cvetanova/to-many-people-chess-is-an-extreme-sport-it-requires-a-lot-of-thinking/)

[Ljupka Cvetanova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ljupka-cvetanova/)

> [Thomas Hauser respects boxing and boxers. He gives readers insight into what happens in and out of the ring. Everything he writes is fair-minded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/thomas-hauser-respects-boxing-and-boxers-he-gives-readers-insight/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [If youve got physical weaknesses, youll lose. Nobody who gets cut easily can be a champion, however strong and talented he is. Boxers are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/if-you-ve-got-physical-weaknesses-you-ll-lose-nobody-who-gets-cut/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [I've got a new life now, a new future, there's a lot more to Lennox Lewis than just being a boxer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/i-ve-got-a-new-life-now-a-new-future-there-s-a-lot-more-to-lennox/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [The media can make boxers, controls who makes it big and who doesnt. They can build up fighters or knock them down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/the-media-can-make-boxers-controls-who-makes-it-big-and-who-doesn-t/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [At first I didnt give a damn to go down in history. I wanted to win. But the more I won, the more I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/at-first-i-didn-t-give-a-damn-to-go-down-in-history-i-wanted-to-win/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [He liked to play chess and do intelligent things, and I was a serious drinker and nonthinker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-harding/he-liked-to-play-chess-and-do-intelligent-things-and-i-was-a-serious/)

[Warren G. Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-harding/)

> [Thank you, darling, for learning to play chess. It is an absolute necessity for any well organized family. (in a letter to his wife)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pushkin/thank-you-darling-for-learning-to-play-chess-it-is-an-absolute/)

[Alexander Pushkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pushkin/)

> [It's the horsey-shape piece that moves in an L shape. It's what makes chess complicated, and why stupid people can't play chess. Go play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-love/it-s-the-horsey-shape-piece-that-moves-in-an-l-shape-it-s-what-makes/)

[Courtney Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-love/)

> [I like to play chess with bald men in the park although it's hard to find 32 of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emo-philips/i-like-to-play-chess-with-bald-men-in-the-park-although-it-s-hard-to/)

[Emo Philips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emo-philips/)

> [“Deal me in. If they want to play checkers, we’ll play chess. Fuck them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-lehr/deal-me-in-if-they-want-to-play-checkers-we-ll-play-chess-fuck-them/)

Dick Lehr

> [“If u want to work in Corporate, then u should know how to play Chess.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honeya/if-u-want-to-work-in-corporate-then-u-should-know-how-to-play-chess/)

[honeya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honeya/)

> [When humans team up with computers to play chess, the humans who do best are not necessarily the strongest players. They're the ones who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-cowen/when-humans-team-up-with-computers-to-play-chess-the-humans-who-do/)

[Tyler Cowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-cowen/)

> [I see myself used in terms of reading mismatches. If it's small, go inside. If it's big, come outside. And if it's in between,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thon-maker/i-see-myself-used-in-terms-of-reading-mismatches-if-it-s-small-go/)

[Thon Maker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thon-maker/)

## More by Lennox Lewis

> [In boxing, if you think you will lose... you're already halfway there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/in-boxing-if-you-think-you-will-lose-you-re-already-halfway-there/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [ It's a very interesting fight \[Klitchko vs Tyson Fury\] because this is the first time \[Wladimir\] Klitschko is fighting someone as big as him… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/it-s-a-very-interesting-fight-klitchko-vs-tyson-fury-because-this-is/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [Mike Tyson fit the American ideal of a boxer. A fighter who jumps out of his corner and hits out fiercely. Thats what he'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/mike-tyson-fit-the-american-ideal-of-a-boxer-a-fighter-who-jumps-out/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [Now I am ready to set new goals and start a new career for myself outside of the ring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/now-i-am-ready-to-set-new-goals-and-start-a-new-career-for-myself/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [I've got a new life now, a new future, there's a lot more to Lennox Lewis than just being a boxer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/i-ve-got-a-new-life-now-a-new-future-there-s-a-lot-more-to-lennox/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [I have always said I am a five-dimensional fighter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/i-have-always-said-i-am-a-five-dimensional-fighter/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [I am just taking the top fights out there for me. People will get bored seeing me every day knock someone out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/i-am-just-taking-the-top-fights-out-there-for-me-people-will-get/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [Every era that comes along has a superstar that emerges. Once we are out of the game, there will be a superstar who will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/every-era-that-comes-along-has-a-superstar-that-emerges-once-we-are/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [Fighters used to be afraid of the Russians, Cubans but then I'd figure them out and figure out how to beat them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/fighters-used-to-be-afraid-of-the-russians-cubans-but-then-i-d-figure/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [If I don't feel the same hunger as I once did then I definitely shouldn't box any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/if-i-don-t-feel-the-same-hunger-as-i-once-did-then-i-definitely/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [People are still crying out for Lennox Lewis. They still want to see Lennox Lewis. That motivated me. I am still young. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/people-are-still-crying-out-for-lennox-lewis-they-still-want-to-see/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [Boxing involves the possibility of defeat, I accepted that very early on. After all, there are only two men and one of them wins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/boxing-involves-the-possibility-of-defeat-i-accepted-that-very-early/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [When you go into the other guy's backyard you cannot hope to win on points.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/when-you-go-into-the-other-guy-s-backyard-you-cannot-hope-to-win-on/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [I've worked hard and accomplished what I've accomplished in the heavyweight scene.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/i-ve-worked-hard-and-accomplished-what-i-ve-accomplished-in-the/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

> [In boxing you create a strategy to beat each new opponent, it's just like chess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/in-boxing-you-create-a-strategy-to-beat-each-new-opponent-it-s-just/)

[Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

[Explore all 85 Lennox Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I play chess about four hours a day in training camp. You have to decide what move to use, or what combination of moves. I think less when I box because the reaction time is a lot quicker, but some people call me the chess boxer because they say I think too much in the ring. I take my time and they don't see the action they want. Some boxers just go in there and just throw punches and hope to win...",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Lennox Lewis"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/i-play-chess-about-four-hours-a-day-in-training-camp-you-have-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/i-play-chess-about-four-hours-a-day-in-training-camp-you-have-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8e/lennox-lewis-8053_action_i-play-chess-about-four-hours-a-day-in-t_1978896.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8e/lennox-lewis-8053_action_i-play-chess-about-four-hours-a-day-in-t_1978896.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8e/lennox-lewis-8053_action_i-play-chess-about-four-hours-a-day-in-t_1978896.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I play chess about four hours a day in training camp. You have to decide what move to use, or what…” — Lennox Lewis",
                "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": "Lennox Lewis",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I play chess about four hours...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/i-play-chess-about-four-hours-a-day-in-training-camp-you-have-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/i-play-chess-about-four-hours-a-day-in-training-camp-you-have-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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
