Overly stressed when playing - why ??

Hi folks,

I`ve been playing chess since 2 years and I am still on patzer level. For I am a person who likes to discover new things especially on a high intellectual level ( I am working in the field of sciences) I love the game of chess. But what I find disturbing is that everytime I play chess I feel mentally overstressed due to the point that I cannot enjoy the game after a few moves. I had an account here before but decided to close it after losing about 60 games in a row. Now I have just made a new start, have started playing a few games (which I lost for sure ;-)) and will post my games for analyzing. What I do not understand in addition is why I am getting worse the more books I read , the more tactics I learn and the more games I play. In real life e.g. at my job, this is completely the opposite - otherwise I couldn`t have made my science degree. And additionally, I have to face `stress` nearly everyday because of lecturing in front of many people - but this is pressure I enjoy. Hm, strange, isn`t it ?

This stress issue, would you say to quit chess completely ? Or is this in that extreme quite normal.

I am looking forward to your hints, tipps and suggestions.

I would not say it's normal to be that stressed, but neither is it a reason to quit. Play slow games, maybe even correspondence (Online) games, and try to relax. It sounds like you may need more game experience and less book study at this point to be comfortable at the board.

The more books you read the more things you're trying to consider when you play, and you don't have the experience (I'm guessing) to do most of them automatically--so you're overwhelmed with information, and not able to use any of it.

The next game you play, I suggest you to try to control the center of the board, and move all your pieces into play, and castle. Then see where you have more influence than your opponent, and try to own that part of the board. Keep it safe and simple. 

I'll play some unrated correspondence games with you and try to help you get more comfortable, if that sounds like it might help. 

I think it's time pressure more than anything.  I know that correspondence chess ("online" in Erikspeak) is sometimes derided as "training wheels" chess but I think it's what you need until you build up skill and confidence.  The whole opening dilemma is solved, at least until you're out of book, and you have days rather than minutes to come up with a good move.  I know there are some who play correspondence very quickly  (they'd really rather be playing blitz but their internet connection sucks) but most people play at a leisurely pace.  In a 3 day per move game I find most people make their move within a day.  I have played someone with 200 games going and he did take 3 days, but that's unusual.  Most folks seem to be able to handle anywhere from 5 to 10 games comfortably unless they're really lazy like me (beyond 2 or 3 seems like work).  Anyway another $.02 from my inexhaustible store of pennies.  Oh, one more thought.  I remember a gentleman posting that back in the pre internet days he found himself without access to OTB chess and simply did tactical puzzles instead and was able to keep up his skills.  Hang in there my friend, no reason to give up chess.

Maybe you should aproach chess differently. I see chess as a stress reliever. For me it is relaxing. Perhaps you should approach each move as if it is only one problem or puzzle. Then address the next move the same way.

I have read no books on chess. Instead, I have gathered minimal information on one opening so far. I am studying it. Analyzing it. Playing with it and against it. Experimenting with it. Maybe you should try this approach. You may be overloading on book material.

But, don't stress over the game. Relax your mind and focus calmly. And if you do make a blunder, learn from it.

Now, here is my opinion. You can read all the chess books you want and do all the chess puzzles you want. And while they are a great help, there is no substitute for studying your own board. That is where the game is played physically. Study the board. Replay master games on your board. Guess the next move before looking to see what was actually played and then figure out why it was played.

Hope this helps. From one learner to another.

It would help to know what your degree(s) in science is or are and whether you do scientific research or what.

Why get stressed playing chess?  When I make a blunder I laugh at myself and set up the pieces and try again.  You will never be a great chess player.  Accept that and then you accept that there should be no part of your self-esteem at risk from a chess game. 

After you lose a game you should use the game analysis feature of this website to find out the mistakes you make. Alternatively you could use a chess engine to do this.

"Success is not final,failure is not fatal:it is the courage to continue that counts"

Thanx for your recommends. It helps me a lot. But one thing: Should I play more against a computer ? Could this lead to more skills ? I read here i the forum that this will not develop one´s game at all. Is this right ?

Oh, that`ll be great. Will get to you soon.

PB, there's some excellent advice here -- and noob that I am, it pretty much describes the route I've taken and found it works successfully for me. I, too, got trapped in the "too much studying/not enough playing" trap and found myself unable to retain what I'd learned from all those puzzles and lessons when faced with an actual opponent.  It is not enough to recognize certain patterns of play; one must understand the rationale behind those moves in order to use the full board correctly.

Will I ever become a great player?  I'm looking at turning 50 right down the pipe here, so probably not.  There's just not enough time anymore.  Will I become a respectable player?  Oh, but yes.  I'm already on the way.  Will I continue to enjoy the game the more I learn and the more I play?  Absolutely.

While I understand the drive for perfection -- which, in my professional life, was non-negotiable ;) -- I also understand the need for practical application of lessons learned.  That's why we had homework, all those years ago!  It's a practical demonstration of information retention.  So don't be so hard on yourself -- there's a vast amount of information on chess out there, and no way to really retain those lessons without playing.  The fact you can't call up every conceivable move at will only demonstrates that you're human.  It doesn't mean you're less of a person.

So look me up sometime!  I may not be Alexander Alekhine (omg, what a long way from it!) but I'm always learning.  I do play a lot of correspondence ("online") chess, and don't engage in Bullet or Blitz games.  I'm too sloppy for that yet, so 30-minute or longer standard games are where I "live."  Remember, chess doesn't have to be your defining meme -- unless and until you want it to be so.

All your advice helps me a lot, be sure of that. Thaanx.

Will do :-)

There's nothing wrong with stress as long as it doesn't negatively impact your "functioning", to bring up an overused term.  You being in the sciences probably already know there's such a thing as good stress and bad stress.  

Here's something that might help you:  Maybe look at your learning methodology, and whether or not it suits your personal habits, goals and commitments best.  You sound like a workhorse who just needs more optimal training.  

Chess can be stressful, if you think you must win every game. Also if you are playing blitz, and especially if you don't know what you are doing, could cause stress as well.

People deal with stress different ways. A few things to remember about chess is, it is only a game. Its not life, or death if you lose, so take some deep breaths, and enjoy the game. Slow down, and play longer games.

When you eat your favorite meal, do you like to wolf it down, or take your time, and really enjoy it ?  If you really enjoy chess, its not about winning, or losing so much, its alot deeper than that. 

When walking in a park do you like to rush through it, or do you stop to feel the sun on your skin, and breathe the clean fresh air, listen to the birds, etc, and really enjoy it ? Think of this in your next chess game, it may help you. Good luck.

Your stress is entirely self-imposed.  For some reason, you feel that you need to win, and when you lose or make bad moves, this causes you distress.  You need to remind yourself that chess is just a game, and there are no bad consequences from losing.  No one's life depends on the outcome of the game.  No money is at stake.  The worst thing that can happen is that your friends find out that you have been losing most or all of your chess games, and you become slightly embarrassed by this.  Of course, you don't have to tell your friends if you lose, and you're completely anonymous on the website.  There is no downside.  There should be no pressure ... and no stress.

Svetozar Gligoric once said: I play against pieces. So, don't think about your opponent.

take some deep breathes and take ur emotions out of the game

Spend more time on your career which is more important and meaningful.

I think 1. e5 is not suitable for your style. Change it to a calm game, step by step progressing, positional play with 1. d4 or 1. c4. Note: although the game is closed, but can do fireworks.