Boy you guys are saying it the way it is. I sometimes keep at the board even when I know I'm tired and unfocused and losing. There is an obsession here!
Patrick consistancy requires you to be as ignorant today, as you were a year ago.
same here
sometimes i feel like i have no idea what to do
i miss the most obvious tactics
"oh cr*p, i forgot they could do that"
"oh sh*t, i forgot pieces can move that way"
it happens.
sometimes i feel like i have no idea what to do
i miss the most obvious tactics
"oh cr*p, i forgot they could do that"
"oh sh*t, i forgot pieces can move that way"
it happens.
It happens to me all the time. At some days I feel almost invincible. Playing accurate and easy winning opponents who are 100 points higher than me with ease. And at some other days I can't make it to move 20 without making an one-move blunder which immediately loses. So my rating varies between 1350 and 1550, depending on my mood.
I just recently had a strike of 15 won games, and two days after that I played like a 3 yo. And not just one game, but in every game I make a child-like blunder. I guess it's normal on our level, that's what makes a difference between 1500-1600 player and 1900-2000 player.
I just recently had a strike of 15 won games, and two days after that I played like a 3 yo. And not just one game, but in every game I make a child-like blunder. I guess it's normal on our level, that's what makes a difference between 1500-1600 player and 1900-2000 player.
Lol @ luka
I dunno about the age comparisons: I’ve seen some little kids who play amazing chess. o_o In fact, I’ve heard it’s harder for adults to progress in this game; so it’s probably more accurate to say you were playing like an old guy. ;)
Also, I think a lot of this has to do with your opponent, and how close he is to his own peak when you face him (whatever his current rating is). It’s not all about you. So don’t be too hard on yourself — _or_ flatter yourself too much during those winning streaks. ^_^
That said, taking a break once in a while is good advice. Alternatively, if you really want to keep playing, but feel you’re no longer at your peak, you could always switch to unrated games at that point, or log out and play anonymously. Or just study famous games, or do puzzles. That way you still get your chess fix, but with less risk.
In any case, I’m sure we can all relate to this. I know I’ve been there, many times. Hopefully those bad games will still prove instructive, and you’ll be less likely to repeat the same blunders in the future. Seen in that light, it’s all just part of learning.
Indeed, there is something eternal about this struggle between the Black & White pieces, playing out on this microcosm of light & dark squares. And in such a perpetual conflict, it’s only natural there should be some back & forth, as one side gains the upper hand for a time. After all, even with something as random as a coin toss, you’ll get heads more often than tails for a while, then mostly tails another time. *shrug* That’s just the way these things work, so don’t let it get you down.
Here’s hoping your general trend over time is still positive. :)
Also, I think a lot of this has to do with your opponent, and how close he is to his own peak when you face him (whatever his current rating is). It’s not all about you. So don’t be too hard on yourself — _or_ flatter yourself too much during those winning streaks. ^_^
That said, taking a break once in a while is good advice. Alternatively, if you really want to keep playing, but feel you’re no longer at your peak, you could always switch to unrated games at that point, or log out and play anonymously. Or just study famous games, or do puzzles. That way you still get your chess fix, but with less risk.
In any case, I’m sure we can all relate to this. I know I’ve been there, many times. Hopefully those bad games will still prove instructive, and you’ll be less likely to repeat the same blunders in the future. Seen in that light, it’s all just part of learning.
Indeed, there is something eternal about this struggle between the Black & White pieces, playing out on this microcosm of light & dark squares. And in such a perpetual conflict, it’s only natural there should be some back & forth, as one side gains the upper hand for a time. After all, even with something as random as a coin toss, you’ll get heads more often than tails for a while, then mostly tails another time. *shrug* That’s just the way these things work, so don’t let it get you down.
Here’s hoping your general trend over time is still positive. :)
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