i sometime lose concentration

Me too, I make some of the dummest moves sometimes that cost me the game

 

and it always happens when im leading

I find that I play to the skill level of who ever I am playing, if I play a 800 level player I play like I to am a 800 player. I make some of the dumbest moves by moving way to fast and buy playing way to many games and getting lost in them all.

When I play someone of lower rank I just treat them as if they're better than me. That way you won't let your guard down so easily and you'll stay alert.

 

Okay, who has some tips from experience about how to maintain concentration? I agree lapses occur too often in even games or games we are ahead. What can we do to reduce these lapses?

I find that I am most distracted when my opponent is online and I am hoping that by making moves quickly, we'll both remain online long enough to complete a game.  I've messed up a couple of times - I'm still playing a game that I could have won.  However, I wasn't paying close enough attention and ended up exchanging queens instead of putting my opponent in checkmate.  My advice is to slow down, especially when you have days to make a move.  Your opponent might move more slowly, but you can use that time to predict your opponent's probable moves and formulate your own strategy.  I also advise getting rid of possible distractions (television, phone conversations, etc.).

My most dangerous distraction is anime... I should not play while watching Code Geass...

Thought process is a big part of moving your game forward.

Read Dan Heisman's articles on Hope Chess, he really hammers it home.

The most common chess pearl that helps with slowing down is "Every time you find a good move, find a better one."

You can also try to put yourself in the mind set of your oponent. What would they do in this situation?

 

Do not play more then 10 games at one time.

Reverse the board, take opponents view.

After you decide on your move, look a last time for crazy tactics.

Never exspect an opponent to follow your plans.

 If you do anything else, while playing chess (like kissing your girlfriend),

it means, that you don't take the game serious...

Never look at (or pay attention to) your opponents rating.

If I expect to win, I relax and slip. If I expect to lose, I'm won't make the bold moves.

Expect nothing; keep your mind on your next move.

Isaac Newton third law explains this in a way, Acting and Reaction are equal but opposite. When you lose concentration is when your reaction is quick because of same external force! In your case You are winning the game before you won!

To fight that, make yourself a promise. " I will not move till I have thought at least a minute" When You are winning is when someone makes lot of missed moves, mostly when your opponent is way high above you in rating or vase verse.

Take your time, even in your attack, take your time. Change your setting to Stay on the game! that you my still think of what will you do if your opponent move go that way or this way! When you are satisfied  then move to your other games!

 

Cheers, hope I am helpful. 

BATMAN1962 wrote: and it always happens when im leading

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"The hardest thing in chess is to win the won game."

I guess when you get what you think is a winning position, you begin to relax and this takes the edge off, hence losing concetration.

Jeremy Silman has a good article on winng won games at his website.

get rid of all distraction, the girlfriend, the tv, friends, animals and food. and play to win play hard.

Yeah, I am always grateful when someone reminds me not to throw a game through being impulsive. Thanks!