How can I not get anxious about playing a chess game?

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Avatar of Forkeverz

Hey, do any of you have tips I can use to overcome my anxieties of playing chess games? I have recently got back into chess yet each time I want to try a rapid game, I get overly anxious and I can't get myself to make a game. I feel like I would be much higher rated if i was able to overcome this anxiety. Does anyone else experience this and does anyone have solutions?

Avatar of Aransankay

Don't care about what happens. If you care, you will be anxious.

Avatar of ShaxMati523

It's typically tied to the fear of losing. Play more, not less. Then, don't beat yourself up for making mistakes. Learn from them.

Avatar of StrategicKnightmare12

I never really get anxious, even in OTB tourneys

Avatar of Imaheadhurt

My heart starts to beat fast at important spots

Avatar of tcg0_gamerz

Don't play and u won't be anxious.

Avatar of StrategicKnightmare12

lol

Avatar of Forkeverz
ShaxMati523 wrote:

It's typically tied to the fear of losing. Play more, not less. Then, don't beat yourself up for making mistakes. Learn from them.

Yeah it definitely is tied to that. I think its hard initially to get over that worry but maybe once i do, I'd feel more comfortable playing.

Avatar of koziolsr

I have the same issue. I'm getting better at managing it and I find that playing more helps. Forget about rating and try to play as many games as you can, being sure to review them. Over time, the anxiety should dissipate. Hope this helps.

Avatar of Maria

I mean, practice more, because then, if you feel good about your practice (puzzles, games, openings, endgame theory, etc), you will be confident during ur game

Avatar of Super_Rad_Lad

I think it's okay to be anxious, but the more experienced your are the less nervous you'll be

Avatar of jetoba

Do not let concern over your rating override your enjoyment of the game. When I first broke 2100 almost four decades ago I had two choices. I could do intense studying of openings, endgames and tactical ideas so that I could break 2200 and become an NM, or I could simply play because I enjoyed the game. Since intense studying would change the game from a pastime to work, I opted for the second choice and I have no regrets even though I never did break 2200.

If you play because you enjoy the game then simply play and don't worry about the rating.

Avatar of Stay_loose_play_7deuce

idk I get nervous in rapid not anything else

Avatar of GreatoduTheFirst
StrategicKnightmare12 wrote:

I never really get anxious, even in OTB tourneys

Wow very helpful 🙄. Anyways, try not to care about the result and take some deep breaths before the game. It helps.

Avatar of StrategicKnightmare12

Wow, nobody asked. Some actual tips are to not care about the result and just try to play the best game that you can

Avatar of Arjundudebest

bro strategicknightmare chill

Avatar of dprzekupowski

I think one good way to overcome anxiety about chess is to be prepared with a knowledge of the openings you like to play. For example, if you are an e4 player with white, you need a plan for the first few moves against the french, caro kann, sicilian, scandi, etc. Same for black...have a prepared strategy/reply in mind for when your opponent opens with e4 or d4.

Avatar of pufferfish503

if your intermediate, in classical games, i like to move fast in the opening and not overanalyze so i have more time in the middlegame

Avatar of MikeSailer

The one thing we have in common playing online chess is we will all lose a ton of games. Just think of it as playing a game of cards. Once the game is over, you reshuffle the deck and start the next one.

Avatar of KashviVats_2012

Get used to losing. Don't fear losing. Play as many games as you can, even if you lose.