Managing Energy Levels: What Is It And Why Is It Important? PART 1

"We don't have to analyse this game. I've made a one-move blunder, and I know where I went wrong." 

This was my overused phrase to dismiss the horrendous mistakes that happened and a silent promise that it would never happen again. Until it inevitably does. The truth is that these are human errors and not chess-related ones. 

Quality of play decreases when energy levels are low.

Here is a case for a much higher-rated player.

The last move White played was Nxe5, blundering Qxf2#

He is a GM. He is  2600+ FIDE. He was part of Team Anand in World Championship matches. But he is also human. 

For context, this was Round 8 of the FIDE World Rapid Championship 2023. The tournament had a gruelling schedule and an even more gruelling waiting time for the players. It was only natural that players got tired, and mistakes were bound to happen. It was unfortunate that the price he had to pay was a high one.  

Hence, it is important to maintain good energy levels to keep up the quality of play. This will be further discussed in Part 2!

PS: I have massive respect towards GM Surya Ganguly and had the chance to sit in his classes. He is an amazing player and educator, and this one mistake doesn't take any of those away from him.