I've noticed something odd and I was wondering if others have noticed it as well. There are certain players that I run into repeatedly in clan games and tournaments that I just cannot seem to beat, even though based on their ratings, I should be able to win at least some of the time. It's like I have my own private cadre of archnemeses.
It's likely a combination of playing style and psychology, but if a player has beaten me let's say four games in a row, I go into the next game assuming he's going to beat me again and it's like it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. I find myself rarely looking beyond the next move because I'm thinking what's the use? I expect the loss and in doing so frequently generate it regardless of the opponent's actual skill.
Is this common or is it just me? Any suggestions on how to overcome this?
Thanks,
Steve
I'd suggest studying your old games and finding out where you screwed up. It could be that their opening and your opening give them the advantage. It could be that their style of play bothers you. They could be patient and you attack too soon. They could be aggressive and you stress out. Figure out what's going on and make corrections.
it's called The Indian Sign
Never heard of it affecting corres players before but OTB it's very common.
Expect players will come on here and tell of you of a player they
simply cannot beat even though he losses to everyone they can beat.
I had 9-0 and 8-0 wins v two players and one guy I'm 0-5 against me.
I even travelled one night to his club (15 miles aways) armed with
a set and a clock to see if I could beat him just once at 5 minute chess.
(this was years ago when I ultra keen).
He never turned up 😳
True story. his name is I.C. Robertson (Dunfermline).
OTB there is no known cure - some players just tune into other
players thoughts. It's a simple as that.
Here it is different. You are not staring at him over the board.
You can do the swizzle.
If he is White and plays 1.d4 then challenge the strongest player
you can and play 1.d4.
What ever the strong guy plays you reply back to your Nemesis.
When he replies you play that move v the strong guy.
and so on and so on.
That way you are not playing him, the strong guy is 😀
The bad news: If the strong player is using a box then you will
both get banned. 😉
Originally posted by greenpawn34That's very helpful, thanks! Essentially I'd be channeling a more powerful player. That does sound a bit like cheating, though, even if the more powerful player wasn't using an engine.
You can do the swizzle.
If he is White and plays 1.d4 then challenge the strongest player
you can and play 1.d4.
What ever the strong guy plays you reply back to your Nemesis.
When he replies you play that move v the strong guy.
and so on and so on.
That way you are not playing him, the strong guy is 😀
The bad news: If the strong player is using a box then you will
both get banned. 😉
One other odd thing I've noticed is the more chatting I do with players, the less likely I am to beat them, especially if it's somebody I've come to like. I have a harder time playing well against somebody I think of as a friend. Perhaps I could use your idea of channeling a stronger player as a way of setting aside my feelings of friendship. Kind of a what would greenpawn do? Kick his butt even if he is your pal.
Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated,
Steve
Originally posted by EladarI think it's more mindset than it is tactical. I know what I did wrong the second I do it...or more correctly, the second after I hit Submit Move.
I'd suggest studying your old games and finding out where you screwed up. It could be that their opening and your opening give them the advantage. It could be that their style of play bothers you. They could be patient and you attack too soon. They could be aggressive and you stress out. Figure out what's going on and make corrections.
I do tend to play too quickly though, you're correct in that. I need to slow down and channel my inner Goliath.
Thanks for the advice,
Steve
Originally posted by greenpawn34Great idea. Must try it. Only you could do it agains two players who are both muck stronger than you, and you would be gauranteed at least one win, or two draws. I kinnda doubt this is legal though. 😕
it's called [b]The Indian Sign
Never heard of it affecting corres players before but OTB it's very common.
Expect players will come on here and tell of you of a player they
simply cannot beat even though he losses to everyone they can beat.
I had 9-0 and 8-0 wins v two players and one guy I'm 0-5 against me.
I even travelled one ...[text shortened]... s 😀
The bad news: If the strong player is using a box then you will
both get banned. 😉[/b]
Originally posted by greenpawn34you'd get banned even if he didn't. consulting 3rd party.
The bad news: If the strong player is using a box then you will
both get banned. 😉
I had a guy I couldn't beat even though he was slightly lower rated. on the 4th game I realized he wasn't playing for a win, but instead just tried to stiffle everything. and when I naturally tried to force an attack, I had to give him something and it was soon over.
but once I realized what he was doing, it was a piece of cake.
Originally posted by greenpawn34damn you wormwood. you were quicker.
it's called [b]The Indian Sign
Never heard of it affecting corres players before but OTB it's very common.
Expect players will come on here and tell of you of a player they
simply cannot beat even though he losses to everyone they can beat.
I had 9-0 and 8-0 wins v two players and one guy I'm 0-5 against me.
I even travelled one s 😀
The bad news: If the strong player is using a box then you will
both get banned. 😉[/b]
-GIN
Originally posted by sbacatthat is cheating.
That's very helpful, thanks! Essentially I'd be channeling a more powerful player. That does sound a bit like cheating, though, even if the more powerful player wasn't using an engine.
edit:
damn you wormwood. you were quicker.
-DSK
Originally posted by sbacatWhat would greenpawn do?
That's very helpful, thanks! Essentially I'd be channeling a more powerful player. That does sound a bit like cheating, though, even if the more powerful player wasn't using an engine.
One other odd thing I've noticed is the more chatting I do with players, the less likely I am to beat them, especially if it's somebody I've come to like. I have a harder ti ...[text shortened]... ] Kick his butt even if he is your pal.
Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated,
Steve
For gods sake...make the WWGPD? shirt already!
-GIN
It's not cheating.
Swizzle is not mentioned in FAQ so it's OK.
The fact you may have two indentical games in your games
history is a pure coincidence.
Whats the odds of two game repeating themselves. very good I'd say.
I mean how many different positions can there possibly be after 30 moves?
400, 500, 700? not much more than that.
Originally posted by greenpawn34The Terms of Service state ¨previously played games¨ which does not include in progress games. However swizzle isn´t specifically mentioned.
It's not cheating.
Swizzle is not mentioned in FAQ so it's OK.
The fact you may have two indentical games in your games
history is a pure coincidence.
Whats the odds of two game repeating themselves. very good I'd say.
I mean how many different positions can there possibly be after 30 moves?
400, 500, 700? not much more than that.
You could go for a double swizzle and play your opponents moves against him. if he´s got enough in progress games (>500) then you could get him to play himself, and he may never know.