I'm frustrated

@NSDavid said in #1:
> I've been consistently playing chess for 10 years. I've read many books on openings, endgames, etc. I've played with friends, in tournaments, and have done thousands of puzzles.
> When I made my chess.com account a few years ago, I was rated 1100 (1450 on lichess, I would think).
> I've been consistently playing nearly every day since then. Yet over the past 6 or so months I've gotten worse. Much worse. And I'm not sure why.
> What should I do to remedy this?
> Thanks,
> --NSDavid

Find an experienced trainer with whom you can train for several hours 2-4 times a week.
If your talent keeps up, this will lead to a strong increase in your playing strength

It might be time to start thinking about whether or not is actually for you?

@NSDavid said in #1:
> I've been consistently playing chess for 10 years. I've read many books on openings, endgames, etc. I've played with friends, in tournaments, and have done thousands of puzzles.
> When I made my chess.com account a few years ago, I was rated 1100 (1450 on lichess, I would think).
> I've been consistently playing nearly every day since then. Yet over the past 6 or so months I've gotten worse. Much worse. And I'm not sure why.
> What should I do to remedy this?
> Thanks,
> --NSDavid

Do this lichess.org/learn#/

And this lichess.org/practice

@Edusanfer said in #8:
> Tactis, tactics and more tactics. You shouldnt play chess, but see how others play chess (What i mean by this, is that you should see channels like GothamChess, ChessBrah, and some others, cuz they play a lot and they play well) . In the meantime, you should take a look at polgar tactic book, i dont remember the book name, but its a comp of hundreds of tactics, starting from the easiest one (mate in one)
This one www.amazon.in/Chess-Tactics-Champions-step-step/dp/081293671X ?
Its a very nice book, loved it

@wisherwhacker #6
OP won this game.

ooooh youre right Foolicus.. Thanks

Oh, man! I totally understand where you're coming from. It looks like most of the people here have everything pretty well covered -- tactics and such.

I would just like to add that sometimes, at least for me, it can take a long, long time for a move or opening or concept to finally "click." I have been studying the KID for, I don't know, a little over a year? I understood what moves to make and when but only up to a certain point, and then my opponent would crush me. I just couldn't understand why I would pawn-break with e5. It blocks the fianchettoed bishop. I knew that it was the "right" move, and I even understood what moves to make AFTER breaking with e5, but I couldn't bring myself to make the move. I would try everything else. I would try breaking with c5 or moving a knight to d7. But last night e5 just clicked. I played e5, then a5, then Na6, etc. Suddenly, it made sense. It came together. And, you know, it only took me a year and a half to figure it out! lol

And I know this has been said before as well, but I would just like to reitterate: take a break. This is controverisal advice and I have seen others recommend against it, but I have definitely taken a few days off from chess before and come back stronger for it.

Good luck! Have fun!

It may be time to change your opening. With black it seems you always go for the Scandinavian. Perhaps try mixing things up, and experiment with other openings for black (frankly, the Scandinavian isn't good, Bobby Fischer said so).

@MrDeCesare said in #18:
> Oh, man! I totally understand where you're coming from. It looks like most of the people here have everything pretty well covered -- tactics and such.
>
> I would just like to add that sometimes, at least for me, it can take a long, long time for a move or opening or concept to finally "click." I have been studying the KID for, I don't know, a little over a year? I understood what moves to make and when but only up to a certain point, and then my opponent would crush me. I just couldn't understand why I would pawn-break with e5. It blocks the fianchettoed bishop. I knew that it was the "right" move, and I even understood what moves to make AFTER breaking with e5, but I couldn't bring myself to make the move. I would try everything else. I would try breaking with c5 or moving a knight to d7. But last night e5 just clicked. I played e5, then a5, then Na6, etc. Suddenly, it made sense. It came together. And, you know, it only took me a year and a half to figure it out! lol
>
> And I know this has been said before as well, but I would just like to reitterate: take a break. This is controverisal advice and I have seen others recommend against it, but I have definitely taken a few days off from chess before and come back stronger for it.
>
> Good luck! Have fun!

If white castles short, playing e5 is often followed by moving the f6 knight out of the way and playing f5 and you get this lovely pawn avalanche rolling at the enemy king. It is crucial to understand pawn structures and associated plans that arise from your openings. Playing openings from memory without any idea why the moves are being played is a good way to get crushed once you are out of book.