Throughout my chess games I try to observe how I'm feeling and how this state determines the quality of my chess. I've played chess in extremely alert and extremely relaxed states, but neither seems to be best. The truth for me is somewhere in the middle, however, I have not found it yet. What do you consider the best mental state for chess?
I play blitz, frequently. I notice that when im tired, my rating seems to drop about 50 - 150 points.
When Im very alert and awake and looking forward to the games my rating goes about 50 - 100 points higher than my average.
Yes... My rating changes allot depending on my mental state.
What works, only a little is when i try to incourage myself and try to pay attention. But it doesn't really help.
Also, when I blunder a piece, the chances are good it will happen again.
Originally posted by exigentskyFor what time control? 1/0 is a different game to 30/0 is a different game to 120/0 is different to CC.
Throughout my chess games I try to observe how I'm feeling and how this state determines the quality of my chess. I've played chess in extremely alert and extremely relaxed states, but neither seems to be best. The truth for me is somewhere in the middle, however, I have not found it yet. What do you consider the best mental state for chess?
There are certain universal advantageous/detrimental mental traits that are universal to all time controls ie Don't play tired, but the mental state I try and play blitz in is very different from the state i try and play for standard time controls.
Originally posted by vipiuStrangely I find that coffee keeps me alert, but I play worse.
it is not only about tired or not, sometimes I am also in some dreaming mood(a bit bored), not focusing on the position, and more playing automatically moves...
that's even worse than tired I think
I read that Fischer would eat dairy products for long matches.
For me, before the game: 10 minutes of solitude are good and thinking through how I will manage my time.
During the game, trying to think from my opponents side was the best bit of advice I ever got.
Originally posted by petrosianpupilgood point, with tight time controls I find it useful to try find your opponent's best move and make your own move to prevent their best one. Forces them to think harder & longer, taking some pressure off you. You know - those annoying a3/h3 ones...
During the game, trying to think from my opponents side was the best bit of advice I ever got.
Always check for blunders. Before making move ask yourself always if your opponent has any free captures.
And another think, which could add new fresh 200 or 300 rating points.
You wanna make sure that your opponent has not any good tactical combination, and you also want to spot your tactical chances.
Checking for tactics is not always that easy, however, there is a shorcut.
Tactics and tactical combinations are only possible in the following cases:
- undefended pieces
- inadequatly defended pieces
- possible checks
If none of these elements exists, do not bother yourself looking for tactical combinations.
It saves energy, if you are tired or you are not focused enough!
It is not my made up by me of course. It is tactical rule which will make you much stronger and faster
Originally posted by ivan2908eh, it worth looking for some pawn/Knight/Bishop forks though
Always check for blunders. Before making move ask yourself always if your opponent has any free captures.
And another think, which could add new fresh 200 or 300 rating points.
You wanna make sure that your opponent has not any good tactical combination, and you also want to spot your tactical chances.
Checking for tactics is not always that easy, ho ...[text shortened]... not my made up by me of course. It is tactical rule which will make you much stronger and faster
Originally posted by petrosianpupilThe bit about coffee and the bit about solitude are two sides of the same coin. Caffeine is a stress hormone, or at least mimics one, and is likely to make you jittery. Although some people will find that it relaxes them, so it could be a help for some. The ten minutes of solitude help you relax, thinking about the time management issue also gives you some extra confidence, without too much danger of overconfidence as thinking about the time control shouldn't cause you to underestimate your opponent. Again this could work the other way as some people will find that time spent on their own with no distractions makes them more nervous and are best spent busy or talking to people.
Strangely I find that coffee keeps me alert, but I play worse.
I read that Fischer would eat dairy products for long matches.
For me, before the game: 10 minutes of solitude are good and thinking through how I will manage my time.
During the game, trying to think from my opponents side was the best bit of advice I ever got.
Empathising with your opponent is vital, or at least highly helpful, if you want to beat them.
I think tiredness is the worst enemy. But for me, it's also the mood. For example, if I win a game, then I can continue winning 5 games in a row. But if I lose one, I can go on a 10-games losing strike.. I guess I play best in the morning-time, because the brain has been resting for a long time. Need a steady breakfast and coffee though, to get some energy (which the body doesn't have).
Having sex won't help.. at least for some time, you will get sleepy (at least if you complete it). Although, it might work after the tiredness wore off, to get you calm.. but I doubt it works 😉
Originally posted by vipiuSex before the game will not help you. That's too early. You should wait until the game has started.
what about having sex before the game ? will it help ?
-actually I heared in other sports(mainly physical) they try to avoid sex before the games...How about chess ?
I've been sick this past week, but I've tried to keep up with my games. I blundered away my queen in one of them, though, so I think you should definitely be alert, but I also think not so alert that you become distracted by more immediately interesting things. If you can find yourself in a mood that is both calm and alert, then I would say that THAT is ideal.