Hi All! I'm new here and wanted to say hi :) Just a heads up to everyone...I'm a terrible chess player but I so enjoy the game.

I think my biggest problem is with my mind. Whenever I play, I always feel like I'm hurrying my moves. This happens mostly on the PC, but sometimes when I play a human.

 Anyone have any suggestions on how to tackle this "chess psychology" question? 

try sitting on your hands ... that should slow you down .

TalFan wrote:

try sitting on your hands ... that should slow you down .

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 You serious? hahaha. Doesn't sound like a bad idea actually

When your opponent makes a move, ask yourself a) what is s/he planning with that move, b) which piece/s does that piece now attack and c) am I going to be mated in the next few moves? 

When you have your move planned, don't just immediately play it, look around the board and check the above 3 points. Also, quickly do a "blunder check" i.e. make sure that you're not leaving one of your pieces open to attack, or your king wildly exposed. Then, and only then, should you make your move...

 Hope that helps :)

Thanks all for the helpful advice :)

I'm in the same situation above making fast moves - I am training myself to basically do the same as Microsmart indicated above. It will come in time.

Also ask when looking at your opponents move d) what did he leave behind when he made that move.  Something undefended? A square,  a piece?.. It's all good.

I have only really started too paly recently and I fell the same way some of the time. What has already been mentioned is really good advice.

One thing that I had to overcome early on is to stop feeling like you are wasting your opponents time as you are just not good enough. I got over this by just focusing on the game in front of me and not to worry about my opponent. Find that best move. Think about what he has left behind, can I stop him from doing something that will hurt my chances of winning. How can I win a piece or get mate? If (s)he is ahead how can you get back into the game if not can you save the game?

Chess is a game or skill but also a game of psychology. The only person that can put pressure on you is yourself. Just relax and find that best move.

Hi, Vlad2075,     Have you ever heard of the phrase , "Sit on your hands"?  It was an advice by a reknown master of the 19th century, as chessclocks were not in used yet~! Practice this and you will make less blunders.  Good luck in your chess~.

just try to contain yourself as white every move should be slightly aggresive and black slightly defensive after 15 20 moves start to look for the wins