Recently I've been finding it extremely hard to concentrate in games, and I also get tired easily. I played 12 games of 5 0 blitz on ICC. I won the first 4 and lost every game after that. Granted, the opponents I played against were slightly higher rated than me (My rating can go from 1100-1300+ depending on whether I'm having a good day, the players' ratings averaged just over 1350). I noticed as I went on playing, my opponents started to win less and I started to lose more (ie. I often played decently untill I blundered heavily.)
I'm wondering if you guys might have any ideas on how to focus better?
I'd say you're doing well for only playing for a couple of months and wouldn't worry about it. When you play blitz, it's hard to be consistent. Some of your opponents are fresh, some are using engines, some are using their brothers, etc. Who knows what's going on at the other end. As you play more, your "vision" will improve, so that tactics will come naturally.
Originally posted by buddy2Yeah, that's in the long term. What I was talking about was this: In the first 4 games I won, I could see the board easily and was playing relatively well. As the games progressed, it became harder and harder for me to concentrate and I made bigger and bigger tactical mistakes, mistakes which I would normally not do. Its probably because I'm tired so what I want to know is how to build up my stamina... I'm sure there's a way since tournament games last for hours and the players can concentrate and my 12 games didn't go over an hour and I was already fatigued...
I'd say you're doing well for only playing for a couple of months and wouldn't worry about it. When you play blitz, it's hard to be consistent. Some of your opponents are fresh, some are using engines, some are using their brothers, etc. Who knows what's going on at the other end. As you play more, your "vision" will improve, so that tactics will come naturally.
Originally posted by marinakatombI usually play 2 12 or 5 12 but I started playing 5 0 recently... yeah I guess I'll do that.
What time control do you play? If it's 5 minutes or less i'd suggest playing 10-12 minutes. If you don't like it, no bother, but i think you'll find you'll improve more as you are actually thinking rather than just reacting.
I think your playing too much.
You might need to take some of that time and just look over your games. type in "hist" into command bar to see your last 20 games when on ICC. Right click and choose examine then you play through the games and re-enact different scenarios by trying different moves.
About 4 games a night would be better. Study your games first to get your mind warmed up.
Try longer times also. I would learn to play well in slow time then try to morph that into your blitz playing, not the other way around!