Hi,

I recently went through about a 6 month period where I couldn't care less about chess. I'd flick through GM games without taking anything in, I'd do the odd bit of tactics, but generally, I'd not really bother too much when playing.

Now, for whatever reason, my urge is back, and my question is - have you had a similar period, and, if so, how did you get back on the horse... so to speak? Also, what do you recommend as a course of action - play, play, play or maybe develop a study course for myself?

Any help is greatly appreciated...

I think a lot of people go through this. After a 'chess vacation', where college and/or social life keep me away from the board, I can come back pretty hungry, and blow the whole day on FICS.

Stepping away -- or being dragged away -- from the board for a week can trigger a serious "reminiscence effect".

i've had this happen to me as well. normally, it's real life (work, social, etc.) which pulls me away from chess.

i'd suggest just doing what you enjoy. if you just like to play games for fun, then do that. if you enjoy tactics, throw some of them in as well. when i'm taking it seriously, i do have my own practice routine that i'll go through daily.

Cheers for the response guys!

Can I ask what type of routine do you do through?

Do you, for example, have a routine whereby you look at tactics one day, endgames the next, GM games the following day? Or is it just you play a few games or analyse your own play with an engine?

I've read that (at my level) 15mins of tactics per day is enough, but I'd like to do more than that - as I find tactics day-in-day-out can be a little frustrating.

Cheers