Lost my ability to calculate

Idk how, but after my exam finished, somehow my game deteriorated.
I cannot calculate for long, all my moves are based on reflex.
I made no mistake in opening, and now it has also worsened.
In middlegame, I used to calculate long variations and now that ability has vanished.
I feel lost
So, anyone knows how to get back to my primer self ?
I have a OTB tournament coming up in October.

I have experienced a similar feeling to this and have two tips.

1. Solve forced checkmate puzzles, making sure you see each variation to mate. Nothing too long, start with mate in 2 or 3.

2. Pick up a game collection book and read it with a chess board. Make the game moves on the board and try to see the moves in the notes in your head. A book without too much computer analysis is best for this. Some lists recommending books for each level can be found online.

These things helped me regain my confidence in calculating. Good luck.

Sometimes if I experience a fog like this some good exercise, and a solid night sleep helps. If that's not already part of your routine it could make a difference!

I think the main problem in this case is fatigue or overexertion. Take a few days off from chess

@Interesting_choice said in #4:

I think the main problem in this case is fatigue or overexertion. Take a few days off from chess

my take on this is, it's highly psychological, the problem you are facing. so your problem, you can't calculate long variations. and you blitz out the move. just sit on your hands man. and for the first one, i recommend taking a book, and visualizing the moves in your head, like a puzzle book!

@dan2out said in #1:

Idk how, but after my exam finished, somehow my game deteriorated.
I cannot calculate for long, all my moves are based on reflex.
I made no mistake in opening, and now it has also worsened.
In middlegame, I used to calculate long variations and now that ability has vanished.
I feel lost
So, anyone knows how to get back to my primer self ?
I have a OTB tournament coming up in October.

I had felt like this once when I came back from a Vacation and I was playing a Really important tournament the next day I just took good 11hrs of sleep woke up the next day Drank two cups of coffee and went to play and everything went fine.

I feel it so happens when you probably didn't get good sleep or are just tired for some reason (In your case probably stressed out because of exams) Just take a break (For a day or two) and then just start with some puzzles and calculate. Until October as u said u have a tournament your Calculation will have become really strong don't worry and put in consistent work

Try hard tactics positions. And play 30 minute time control instead. It will train you to calculate deeper.

@ViAaNjS said in #5:

my take on this is, it's highly psychological, the problem you are facing. so your problem, you can't calculate long variations. and you blitz out the move. just sit on your hands man. and for the first one, i recommend taking a book, and visualizing the moves in your head, like a puzzle book!
I didn't create this forum. Why are you answering him in response to my assumption?

@Michael-Phelps said in #6:

I had felt like this once when I came back from a Vacation and I was playing a Really important tournament the next day I just took good 11hrs of sleep woke up the next day Drank two cups of coffee and went to play and everything went fine.

I feel it so happens when you probably didn't get good sleep or are just tired for some reason (In your case probably stressed out because of exams) Just take a break (For a day or two) and then just start with some puzzles and calculate. Until October as u said u have a tournament your Calculation will have become really strong don't worry and put in consistent work

I just happened to notice your username, sir, can you please teach me swimming?

Note- it's a joke, but can you?

@ViAaNjS said in #9:

I just happened to notice your username, sir, can you please teach me swimming?

Note- it's a joke, but can you?

Lol no way I'm really bad at teaching stuff last year I'd try to teach my friend swimming but even after 3 months of teaching he didn't learn. Obviously am not Phelps but a passionate swimmer and big fan of the man thus this username