Simple enough of a question.  Do emotions affect how you play chess?

I would have to say yes they do.

I think they do too.

That's an interesting question...But, since you all agree, how do they affect our playing??

For sure, when I'm in a bad mood I play worse in long games, in rapid (about 20-30 min) it doesnt matter so much, but in long games there's a big different in my games.

Yeah, if im agitated then i'll loose game after game.

Yes, but you should not let them.

Of course.. its all about the state of mind.. Sometimes if i'm feeling down and out I'll make moves that I know are wrong but do regardless and make my situation harder. Yet when I'm focused and motivated I catch all of the best moves within my capacity.

when I'm bored, I play really risky moves.

I think so...  Is panic an emotion?  ;-)

Yeah, if I get angry from making a bad move in a game, I often play really recklessly in other games.

Maybe I should stop playing chess when I'm angry!?!

Definately. If I go into a game too confident more often than not I'll lose. If I've been getting bullied around all game and become discouraged or frustrated, I tend to make more dumb moves. And even if I'm really excited to see a game play out and don't take my time, I will blunder the game away.

I think positive emotions can slightly change how one plays but negative emotions is what really can change how we play. And if you can control those negative emotions, the better off you will be.

Sure, if I'm not feeling right in the head I can't concentrate and therefore screw up even more than I already do.

 Yes, panic is an emotion because when you are panicking, you make reckless moves.

Now how would you fix your emotions so you can play better?  This is what i would like to know.

 interesting question?

It depends, if i'm in time trouble i'll panic and make dumb moves. If i'm happy i'd make strong moves that I would usually never see. Wierd eh?

KIESH2

 I need my emotions to play well. I use them as an early warning: e.g if I suddenly feel bad about my position for no reason it is probably because I am about to miss a devastating tactic which I will now find. horizoncantswim: you poor poor person. I pity you.

No human activity is totally free from emotions.Both parts of the human brain i.e. the left (logical)  part and the right (emotional) part act together.Even though the right part may get damaged in an accident,the left part soon developes emotional capability. Chess play is often full of emotions such as anger,humour,childish pranks etc.Even such cool champs like Petrossian or Karpov or Smyslov display emotions in their game.At the other end are players like Morphy,Tal,Fischer who played-I would say -more an intuitive and deeply emotional game.

Even Borg displayed his tensions on the court by tell tale signs like blowing on his fingers etc. when awaiting the opponent's service. There is a big difference between humans and Computers and that is Emotions which is what computers lack. Borg is very much a Human.