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Psychology in Chess

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18th December 2007, 09:06pm
#1
by SK-B
Brattleboro, VT United States
Member Since: Jun 2007
Member Points: 134

I suppose this is not a new idea. It seems that there is a great deal of psychology in chess.

 For example: Way too often I have studied a position, used the analysis board to puzzle out all the possibilities, left to let it percolate in my brain and returned. Even done that several times before finally deciding on a move, and then, after all that "careful analysis" made the move and immediately see that it was a blunder. Somehow, when it is too late, immediately it becomes obvious. I suspect that has something to do with stress.

Another stress item seems to be the effect of seeing someone's rating. When I am playing against someone with a much higher rating, I feel inhibited and my brain can get cramped. If I were playing against someone with a lower rating, they could make the very same moves as my high-rated opponent, but my confidence would remain high and I would probably play a better game.

 Not always, of course. There are times when on underestimates a lower-rated opponent and times when the challenge of playing a higher-rated opponent shifts one's mind into a higher state of focus, but the point is the person's rating has an effect -- one way or the other -- on how well one plays the game.  Anyone else experience some of these things?

18th December 2007, 09:22pm
#2
by xvirus
Minneapolis, MN United States
Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 63

no.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

just kidding yes I hear ya :D  I just need to work on playing every game methodically and objectively. 


18th December 2007, 09:46pm
#3
by SK-B
Brattleboro, VT United States
Member Since: Jun 2007
Member Points: 134
I understand the value of objectivity, but don't you sometimes play better if you are juiced up with emotion? I mean if an opponent has irked me is some way, if I don't allow myself to make irrational moves because I am pissed the increased motivation can help my game? Don't you ever find that some subjectivity can help?
18th December 2007, 10:50pm
#4
by Derelict
Chicago United States
Member Since: Nov 2007
Member Points: 76
I highly recommend being objective and taking a step back. It's not like we need to be pumped up as though we're offensive linemen. Play every game and every move despite your oppents rating; play the board. Chess is a mind-game. On the flipside, it is a mindgame yes. And Fischer did say he likes to make his opponent squirm. So there's two ways of looking at it.......
18th December 2007, 10:52pm
#5
by Manjazam
Seremban,NS Malaysia
Member Since: Sep 2007
Member Points: 108
Mr SK-B...did you analyze each possible moves that ur opponent would make..thats how i played. When i do that mostly i would satisfied myself and surprisingly the moves that my opponents made is exactly in my mind. Moves in chess are complicated but i have studied time and again with that sort of problem(yours)...read ur opponents moves..bye TQ.
18th December 2007, 10:55pm
#6
by Munted
New Zealand
Member Since: Dec 2007
Member Points: 3
Just play the board.
18th December 2007, 10:56pm
#7
by Manjazam
Seremban,NS Malaysia
Member Since: Sep 2007
Member Points: 108
..try do some yoga..fear of ratings might ease..TQ
20th December 2007, 05:59pm
#8
by SK-B
Brattleboro, VT United States
Member Since: Jun 2007
Member Points: 134
Manjazam wrote: Mr SK-B...did you analyze each possible moves that ur opponent would make..thats how i played. When i do that mostly i would satisfied myself and surprisingly the moves that my opponents made is exactly in my mind. Moves in chess are complicated but i have studied time and again with that sort of problem(yours)...read ur opponents moves..bye TQ.

I do as much analysing as I can. The problem for me is that even with a very limited number of plausible moves for any particular turn, as you get to where it might go two moves from now and then three moves from now, the permutations rapidly multiply so that it seems to become impossible to totally compare every possible lineage of future play. In the end I tend to favor a good position, more often using that as the criteria, rather than a particular, predictable outcome.

Thanks for taking the trouble to comment.

21st December 2007, 10:15am
#9
by Manjazam
Seremban,NS Malaysia
Member Since: Sep 2007
Member Points: 108
Mr SK-B...You are most welcome.
21st December 2007, 02:56pm
#10
by Freelancer131
Howell United States
Member Since: Dec 2007
Member Points: 27

I maybe off topic but I will share what I think... Everyone knows that the first apperance makes a big difference when judging people right?  so of course using that you can make yourself doesn't look like the type of people who can play chess well (such as confused look, talk aloud and say stupid stuff/joke).  During the game you and other people shouldn't talk at all, however what I do is I will slip out a word or two that doesn't really matter, such as a small joke or exaggrated emotion (ex. laugh, blowing air).  for me it can reduced the tension and stress and make yourself think better.

 

When I start thinking of my enemy's next move, usually I found it but I can't do anything about, and that proves how bad I am = )) 


21st December 2007, 03:26pm
#11
by ketchuplover
West Bend,WI United States
Member Since: Jun 2007
Member Points: 451
Munted wrote: Just play the board.

and the bored :)

 

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