Originally posted by @wanderm
It's easy to digest losing to a stronger player: I certainly can tell when I am being swatted off the board. But how can one tell in these losses when one is playing to the best of their ability? Obviously losing to a one-move cheapo stings, but my horizon may not stretch to a four-move combination? And even if I am happy with tactical play, there still ...[text shortened]... phantom threat. Psychology is wonderfully human.

Anyway I'm babbling. Thanks for the input.

Perfectly stated. 🙂