More chess training during Covid-19

ThePawnSlayer

Updated: May 3, 2020, 6:34 AM | 10

In my last blog I spoke about my chess training regime during the lock-down. I would strongly recommend you give that a read before continuing to read this blog. In any case, things seem to be going okay... However, like with any training, doubt started to creep in. I have been playing so much, and training so hard, why is this not reflected in my chess rating? It is fair to say I was starting to feel the strain of burn-out and my play started to slip.

A pretty miserable game

The misery continued and I started to go on a losing streak. I was a classic case of being "on tilt!"

Another dreadful game

I have also provided video commentary of this game on my youtube channel:

I was playing too impulsively, making silly blunders and trying to force tactics in positions where there was none!

Last Sunday, I decided to take a break. I took a step back from chess and decided to spend the whole day with my partner relaxing in our garden and cooking. Just like with my normal day job, when I work for too many days, I begin to get overwhelmed with anxiety, a feeling of dread and negativity (definitely not ideal!). Chess started to feel like work and I needed a break from it. The break did some good. I was able to reflect on my recent performances and short-comings in my training.

On my return to playing. I was still not playing perfectly but the losses did not affect me as much and I started to get excited about playing:

I still lost this game, but the position was wild and fun

The break-through

The biggest success in my training came with my tactics training. I had previously stated that I was working my way through the wood-pecker method on chessable. About 4 weeks, as soon as I would reach the intermediate section of the book, I would begin to struggle immensely. Suddenly puzzles I found hard were becoming easier. I was able to see and remember the great moves of the world champions. Alekhine's complicated play was becoming clearer!

A puzzle I had previously struggled with. Finally defeated!

I am on my fourth cycle now, and whilst some puzzles still flummox me, I am beginning to reap the benefits of consistently doing tactics training:

In my analysis video, I played an extremely complicated two knights defence position on the white. Thankfully, despite my opponent's best attempts to complicate, I was able to pull through!

My play is still nowhere near perfect, but with each day of this lock-down I am definitely enjoying my chess more and more!

More chess training during Covid-19

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