how do you stay motivated?

here is my situation. there are many things i enjoy about chess but my main problem is staying interested. i do ok when i take my time and think things out and have even gotten to the point where i win more than i lose. however its when i do lose (especially if i've made a stupid mistake) that especially frustrates me and i'll lose interest for a while. i really enjoy the correspondence style chess so playing live or otb doesn't suit me as my brain freezes up as soon as the clock starts. having alot of games going at one time doesn't work for me either as im comfortable with a maximun of 4 at any one time. any suggestions? what do you do to keep your interest?

Well I tend to play a mix of games, some really hard, against much stronger opponents and some against players more my own strength. The ones more my own rating I can have fun with and try and pull off some daring combos, while the ones a lot stronger I really have to think about and play more carefully. I've found this to really keep me interested. Also when I lose because I've made a stupid move I remember that it was just that, a stupid move. I try to remember that I play better then that and next time I won't lose in the same manner.

A mix of games is a good idea, I do that too. Also chatting is good, the conversation then takes over the game though.

The thing that's nice about CC is that you do not have to move right then; you can take a day off. I find that it's beneficial in a difficult position to put it away and come back to it later. That keeps interest up. You can't do that OTB.

blitz is fun. you get your daily fix, and can even try out things you've been thinking about. you can clown around, sac a queen just because you feel like it, and when it doesn't work you just start another one. and when you lose, it doesn't matter because it's just blitz. you can play blitz drunk, tired, sick or watching tv, and lose a 150 points without batting an eye (well, in theory you could manage that).

hi, learning to lose is one of the more difficult aspects of the game, winning is fun, losing is not, the exception being when we play an exceptionally close game when either side 'walks the plank', at the least inaccuracy and our opponents counter play adds to the excitement ( i would rather play a thousand games where i lost if the play is exciting and on a knife edge rather than trashing someone weaker or getting mauled by someone stronger), the point about making silly mistakes is equally valid, console yourself with the fact that even world champions have a lapse in concentration and make silly blunders, Fischer, Anand, Kasparov, they have all done it., as Judith Polgar states, chess is about learning, learning to be modest in victory but dignified in defeat. here is a little Kasparov blunder to keep you reassured and amused - regards robbie. YouTube

Originally posted by KDP920
what do you do to keep your interest?

Originally posted by SJ247
Chess is a game, I don't have to play it, so why would I do anything special to keep myself interested in it? If you're not intereted in it at times, come back to it when you are interested. Why force it?