In a slump

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25th September 2008, 12:00am
#1
by Chessbee
California United States
Member Since: May 2008
Member Points: 898

I have been in a slump for a couple days now. I am still winning some games, but i have been failing the chess tactics and I lost once to a player I should have beaten OTB, but forgot my endgame stuff. What I need are suggestions on how to get out of this phase and resumer playing well again.

25th September 2008, 12:34am
#2
by PerfectGent
St Andrews Scotland
Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 1722

usual recommendations

take a short break

try a new opening

offer a teaching game to a lower rated player.

above all dont worry it happens to everyone at times

25th September 2008, 01:33am
#3
by fzweb
Home Australia
Member Since: Dec 2007
Member Points: 762

This also sometimes happens to me. Sometimes, I actually move an piece to a square where it can be captured with no compensation! Just take your time very, VERY slowly...

25th September 2008, 02:48am
#4
by robert63
Scotland
Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 51

I am in much the same position. Feeling jaded playing too much chess on this great site. Trying to cut down my games and recharge my batteries. Chess it can become an obsession.

25th September 2008, 08:30pm
#5
by Chessbee
California United States
Member Since: May 2008
Member Points: 898

Well all of this is great advice and I appreciate it. However chess is not just a game to me, it has manifested itself into something much more. I find myself dreaming of complicated chess positions or games I played in the past. And the first thing on my mind in the morning is chess. Yes, you might say I am obsessed with it. Oh well, the more I play the better it gets, I reread my 'weapons of chess' by Pandolfini and that helped bring me back to basics.

25th September 2008, 08:51pm
#6
by IanSteiner
Akron Ohio, (highland Square) United States
Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 123

I take a break from chess for a while to clear my head.  It seems to help.  You need to let your brain "re-boot".

25th September 2008, 08:57pm
#7
by Ian_Sinclair
Taree Australia
Member Since: Dec 2007
Member Points: 2155

Take the game seriously if u like but don't take yourself so seriously! Learn from your games but don't take the losses to much upon yourself (to heart or personally) or it will effect ur chess for the worse. I learned that lesson myself when i was playing chess and dreaming of it as u r now. I was taking the losses badly and in my need for perfection i judged myself far to harshly instead of examining the game and working out the issues that caused my loss.

 

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