Have you ever felt absolute horrible after a blunder? Perhaps, you would have felt like you should have never started the game? Don't worry. Everyone experiences it. I am not going to show blunders GMs have played such as Petrosian, Bobby Fischer, or any other great players as they have already suffered enough. Now, you may be saying "Well, they hardly do these at all". Well, for the greatest players in the world, you would be right for when they do become such powerful players, but they too will have blundered many many times before (especially when they were first starting the game). So as you can see, everyone blunders. We all blunder loads. But you may now say "Well, they stop these blunders a long time before". Nope. Well, perhaps this will happen when they become Grandmasters, or just very strong titled players, but blunders still happen all the time.
You think I don't blunder? In 1 week, I made 10 Queen blunders (Botez gambits)! I mean I guess I really just hate the Queen... Anyways, you get the point. Try not to be disheartened when you make a blunder. After all, it is the person who made the last mistake who loses the game. In fact, I will show you a game I played today where I blundered a forced checkmating sequence:
Ok, so the blunder wasn't as horrible as many other blunders, but even despite what I did at the end, I was generally quite happy with the game. And I should be (even after that blunder, game review thought I was a 2450 and that my opponent was a 2750). Perhaps the blunder took off at least 200 elo or even 300 elo, but the point being that I was generally happy with the way I played. So try not to feel so disheartened if you blunder a game away, especially not during the game
To avoid blunders, warm yourself up before a game, by doing puzzles for instance or playing a quick blitz match (unless blitz severely affects you by which I'd tell you just to do puzzles). It is the same logic as to why people warm up with stretches or exercises before sports events (you don't injure yourself).
If playing online, minimise distractions in the room.
Keep enough focus on the board. If you feel you are overthinking, look away to clear your mind and then turn back to the board
Don't Panick! Imagine it like this: if you could blunder, so could your opponent.
Look for as many opportunities you currently have.
If the game is over now after you have blundered, if it is a really bad blunder, try not to think about it. This will be a distraction itself. If you can't, restrain yourself from playing more games.
Don't feel bad
Have you ever felt absolute horrible after a blunder? Perhaps, you would have felt like you should have never started the game? Don't worry. Everyone experiences it. I am not going to show blunders GMs have played such as Petrosian, Bobby Fischer, or any other great players as they have already suffered enough. Now, you may be saying "Well, they hardly do these at all". Well, for the greatest players in the world, you would be right for when they do become such powerful players, but they too will have blundered many many times before (especially when they were first starting the game). So as you can see, everyone blunders. We all blunder loads. But you may now say "Well, they stop these blunders a long time before". Nope. Well, perhaps this will happen when they become Grandmasters, or just very strong titled players, but blunders still happen all the time.
You think I don't blunder? In 1 week, I made 10 Queen blunders (Botez gambits)! I mean I guess I really just hate the Queen... Anyways, you get the point. Try not to be disheartened when you make a blunder. After all, it is the person who made the last mistake who loses the game. In fact, I will show you a game I played today where I blundered a forced checkmating sequence:
To avoid blunders, warm yourself up before a game, by doing puzzles for instance or playing a quick blitz match (unless blitz severely affects you by which I'd tell you just to do puzzles). It is the same logic as to why people warm up with stretches or exercises before sports events (you don't injure yourself).
If playing online, minimise distractions in the room.
Keep enough focus on the board. If you feel you are overthinking, look away to clear your mind and then turn back to the board
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What to do if you blunder
Don't Panick! Imagine it like this: if you could blunder, so could your opponent.
Look for as many opportunities you currently have.
If the game is over now after you have blundered, if it is a really bad blunder, try not to think about it. This will be a distraction itself. If you can't, restrain yourself from playing more games.
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Remember: If you nearly get hit by a car, do not turn around and yell at it as it is the next one which will hit you