Holding your nerve

Is there any stuff you guys do to just FOCUS on finding the best move in tense (from my very subjective and patzer level) games? Like yoga or something?

In three matches I had winning position. Reached through tense, blundery, but definitely effortful middle games. Only to squander with a wide open back rank mate in one, misclick in another and a completely dumb, demon possessed, and junk emotion directed move in another.

I don't care if I really didn't improve on technical aspects, though I can do them if i want to, but I definitely want to take the "sport" aspect from all this playing.

Please share any methods you consciously practice to clear your head during the game.

Sometimes, I listen to classical music when I play, but that's just me

There's only one way to overcome it: learn chess as much as you can. Once you feel content -- there's only so much you can learn anyway, you'll feel a lot better in your games as you'll be playing now with confidence. Losing/blundering won't matter after that point; you'll be cool and composed at all times, because you'll have proven to yourself of what you're capable of.

You're only tense in such occasions because you are self-aware of how much you're lacking in chess-skills and you do know subconsciously that you can improve

Seems like very good advice. A certain maturity sets in. You're affected less by the mistakes, knowing this is just part of the game, and that leads to a more relaxed attitude in tense phases of the game.

There is a process you go through: you have phases of improvement in managing the tension, even as a beginner.

One thing I have done to optimize things for me. I saw a study in the Forum showing a big spike in blunders which synched with the bell warning sound in Lichess, so i turned that off in my options. I had to adjust some to noticing better how i am doing with time management as a result, but i think its better to rely on an internal clock rather than such an external queue. This also helps keep emotions calm in phases where the clock is low.

I listen to rock and metal music when playing bullet it really helps for me. Arckai and emancipated Spaniard I agree with you guys.

@Bogasuarus said in #5:
> I listen to rock and metal music when playing bullet it really helps for me. Arckai and emancipated Spaniard I agree with you guys.
I do it too,but in all games,and in OTB tournaments,I hear the music in my head

@kadal_thendral

You are playing a game of overcoming, being overcome or withstanding one another. You can't take the sport out of chess or out of wrestling.

But maybe you mean the ambition part. Ambition is a vital part of chess. But chess is not about winning, it is- somehow- about dealing with our limits. Our ambition should, among other things, be to look at all the points where we went wrong, and to pick up something from these things happening at our limits.

Not to accept our limits where they are now and dismiss what's happening as, for example, nerves, junk, squandering means we turn our back on ourselves. To be easier going, we need learning chess, yoga doesn't matter.

Tense is what you don't fully understand, so tension is normal when players challenge one another move by move.
A clearing of your head comes by and by, by going through your games afterwards, online most likely with stockfish. (Ideally, maybe, with your opponent and stockfish).

What I consciously practice during games to focus:
a) Seeing my opponent and me as co-workers on our limits- directing my ambition that way and developing my sense of responsibility for our game
b) Remembering to stay alert if the game has turned in favour of one side and looking for/avoiding typical comebacks
c) Keeping track of the clocks

eat 5 adderall. Focus will no longer be a problem.

@kadal_thendral said in #1:
> Is there any stuff you guys do to just FOCUS on finding the best move in tense (from my very subjective and patzer level) games? Like yoga or something?
>
> In three matches I had winning position. Reached through tense, blundery, but definitely effortful middle games. Only to squander with a wide open back rank mate in one, misclick in another and a completely dumb, demon possessed, and junk emotion directed move in another.
>
> I don't care if I really didn't improve on technical aspects, though I can do them if i want to, but I definitely want to take the "sport" aspect from all this playing.
>
> Please share any methods you consciously practice to clear your head during the game.

You are my friend bro. I also get tensed during OTB, and lose games to silly, foolish , boys.

I think we should do some meditation,and keep our mind calm.