Emerging from the rut

Hi all, 

I've hit a terrible rut recently - not a flatline, but a massive losing streak. Right now I'm losing 80% of my games - games I would have been winning a month ago, and it's starting to get to my head. Losing becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, and I'm making really dumb errors in positions that should be better or won. So what's the chess.com braintrust's advice on hitting a rough patch? How do you manage to get out of your head and back to the chess board after a massive losing streak?? Is it better to get back up and play more or slow down and take a break? 

It happens to all people in all compertitions. Some days you win and some days you lose. I just lost nine games in a row. So I know how you feel. I played 25 games until I came out of the rut.

Yesterday I received a "Kindel" for fathersday. I am 71 years old and have no idea how to use this device. I did manage to get on Chess.com and hit the wrong button. Now I was in a game that I had no idea what I was playing. Anyway, I was ahead a rook and a couple of pawns. I was sure I was going to win. Then I did something and was disconnected. I could not find my way back to the game and lost on time. That's life.

I have a lot of respect for you because of your vast knowledge of chess. It's hard for me to understand how you remember all of the players, dates, and games played over the years. You have a special gift, and I always enjoy reading your posts on the forums.

Friends till the end,

Kman413

I've had similar experiences. I personally found it was related to emotional stress at the time. You need a clear mind for chess and anything that detracts from your clarity will influence you. Try to relax and clear your mind before you play.

Hi Alison,

The most inportant thing is to not start any new games for a while.

If you need a chess fix do tactics or puzzles instead... anything to change the rhythm. 

Are you playing moe games than usual?

I play most of my Chess at a different site (Chess.com is also great or I wouldn't be here at all) and my number of games has gone higher than I'd like it (completely my own fault) and consequently I'm moving more slowly than usual.

Don't feel you have to make your moves straight away.

Also you could keep a diary about your Chess: recording number of active games; how you feel; and any other data that you feel could be relevant... over a "long enough" (weasel term I know) period of time you might start to notice a pattern... which could help you.

I'm fumbling towards the light myself.

Best Wishes,

Nick :)

Hi Alison,

Losing streaks sure aren't fun but the good news is that they can and will eventually be broken

Some ideas that might be helpful toward breaking the bad streak:

Playing good chess is work. If you're not putting in the analysis and calculation in your correspondence games and not going at least two or three moves out in blitz, you might be overchessed. Maybe cutting back on games or taking a break is called for.

Don't experiment. Aim for positions that you know pretty well. Even if the opponent is ready for it. Then aim for solid play, making every move count (having a reason for every move) and take even the smallest advantage.

Don't wing it. Have a plan, see the plan, then play the principled move (reason for every move). Getting sidetracked unless absolutely necessary usually ends up losing.

Don't ignore opponents plan. If you know opponents plan and hinder, you're probably at least equal. But if you can hinder and still realize your plan, you're probably pretty close to winning.

Tempo counts! The more wasted moves the better chance for losing. Efficiently putting your pieces in good spots with adequate protection will make your opponent have to beat you, which likely puts the odds well in your favor. Good chess is going to win a majority of the time.

If you go back over some of your recent losses and you might find you broke some or many of these ideas. Hope things get better soon.

when i start to play bad, i always get out of it eventually, and it seems like it always takes me starting to play to win, instead of trying not to lose. Playing to win is also much more fun.

I play blitz pretty much every day.  I don't study. I've done some tactics but not for awhile. Gradually my game is improving from the brute force approach.

However, I'm just emerging from a rut. A week or two ago I was stuck in the low 1100's for a week or two.  Every time that happens I think I've lost my edge for good, that I peaked and it's all downhill from here. But inevitably the rut is temporary.  And, lately I've been playing sharper and been winning a lot and I'm about 1250 at the moment of this posting.  

I agree with you, stepping away from the board when playing badly is a good idea, but I'm not sure how long one should step back, because as Neil Young said, rust never sleeps.  But when I find myself losing more that it seems normal or can't figure out what's wrong I try to back off. Usually coming back in a different mood helps.  A lot of times it's a matter of rest.  Getting a bunch of exercise helps too.  Getting oneself as physically healthy as possible helps because the brain is not separate from the body.

I just  played a game on 8/1/2015. And I did the unbelivable. I was sure I was going to win. I had a Queen, Rook and Pawns. The other player had a Queen and some Pawns I new I could take care of.

Then I put his King in check with my Queen. He played his Queen next to his  King at the same time checking my King. A simple trade of Queens and I was on my way to victory. Then I made the biggest blunder of all times.

Instead of trading Queens, I move my King out of check. He took my Queen and the win along with it. I have been playing chess since 1955. At the time I did not see the trade. It took two days before I though about that game. When I went back and looked at what I did I could not belive I did something so wrong. But, chess is only a game and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. So Ms. AlisonHart, don't let chess take over your mind.

P.S. I still like to read your forums posts.

Hm. A little bit zombi thread and looks like OP is not in the mood to answer. How is it going with your chess now Alison? I've started similar topic some time ago after losing 400 points in couple days - http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/what-is-going-on-with-my-chess

I know this is an old thread now but if you are still in a rut trying taking some time off from chess and then coming back. Has helped me before.