Since I'm a novice at chess, I find myself being quite nervous to start a game or play anyone that is way higher rating than me (which is just about everyone).  So far I've been trying to jump in and play.  I'm waiting for a game to end that I'm going to lose before I list games to play.  I rather it be a realistic number so that I would be more evenly matched.  On the computer, I do fine.  But it seems the second that I start to play a game, something possesses me and I stop thinking.  Usually it is something I'm good at.  Any tips for newbies on getting over new player nerves along with "PLAY, PLAY, PLAY!!!?

man! it is just a game, we are playing it just for fun then why you nervous.. you have enough of time to another move so think all the possible ways for you every moves quietly and don't think about your rating. do not play fast. when I first play I had also like you. after I lose many games then I realised this is just a game then why i nervous. so play chess for fun & happiness.

Metalhead -- I'm no noobie, I've got a decent rating on Chess.com and I've been playing chess for nearly 40 years... and I still get nervous when I play competitively... and I still think I play less well than I might otherwise because of issues with my temperament.

I've realized recently that while I don't intend to withdraw from competitive chess completely -- I don't like actually playing chess as much as I like studying chess!

Looking over master games -- following their moves carefully and noting the strategic and tactical resources they avail themselves of... Puzzling out difficult positions... practicing tactics... all this makes me very happy and calm. 

But competitive chess is stressful.  Either enjoy the stress, develop a positive relationship with the inevitiable defeats and your own failings -- or find other things to like about chess. I've found I need to limit my competitive chess or I burn out on disappointment. I really hate making stupid mistakes, and I make a lot of them in live chess... As for making peace with my own failings and limited ability -- it's a work in progress. I find it a painful pill to swallow.

Try your best to ignore your opponents rating, it's merely a statistic that can vary wildly depending on the kind of day they're having. I was in the same boat where I'd get myself a bit flustered playing opponents 300+ points above my rating, but after a few games with tactics and pushing them around, I've stopped being intimidated by the number next to their name.

i agree with Eniamar, internet ratings don't count for much. Haveing my first couple of games on this site i was intimerdated by larger ratings and would not play agresivly, but soon leaned that i have to play each game camly and forget about the other players rating no mater how big or small, only pay attion to the game.

Since this post, I've lost many games online.  I am beginning to actually welcoming it.  It means I got to play a bit more.  Some of the guys I chat with on the side of the game and give interesting insights.  I don't think I will ever do competetive play in the live sense.  I much rather sit at my computer and play because a person can put stress on you any where you are.  Face to Face isn't fun for me.  Plus I can think all the funny things I want and not worry someone will misunderstand it and take offense.  So, I'm moving along slowly, but surely.  But Shirley called and won't go out with any of us.  I asked!