Burnout or lack of interest
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Sep 6, 2021
0
#22
I’m not a competitive person by nature, I just like having fun. With chess, I treat it as not me against someone but academically trying to solve some positions and come up with various ideas, and explore possibilities. I found Tal to be somewhat inspiring with chess not for his brilliancies but rather how his mind worked and created fantastic ideas, even if not objectively best, out of nowhere. Ultimately it’s not about winning and losing to me, but having fun with the game and getting out of it what you want or can. So I’ve played gambits, I’ve made unsound sacrifices, and I’ve enjoyed myself through those. The ratings are not important to me, they are numbers on an internet website. If I wanted to focus on winning, maybe they become something to me, but they don’t mean anything to me right now. Maybe instead of focusing on playing your best, focus on having fun with the game, however that is for you, and explore new openings, try different ideas, and don’t hesitate to take your opponent through a position where maybe you blunder or maybe you just made a fantastic idea work. Enjoy!
Sep 6, 2021
0
#23
DaBabysBurner wrote:
Not sure how to write this so apologies for the low quality post
I've been playing since November 2020, when I made an account on cc for the first time. just wanted to play some casual games during the pandemic like a lot of beginners did. I ended up with this determination to improve after I immediately plunged 400 points in a day when I first started. I basically just watched youtube videos as my sole educational resource until I hit 1600, but by then I had already reached around 7,000 games total, so I reckon just the sheer amount of games I played was the reason for the bulk of my improvement
Recently i've been playing a lot of unrated. It just feels better to me to not have the stress of my rapid rating being determined by the result of a rated game. I realized that I missed being a beginner quite a bit (Even if I am still one). When I was lower rated, both me and my opponents would probably make at least 5 blunders a game, miss a couple wins and make numerous mistakes, but it was fun just navigating completely unknown positions and knowing that you still have winning chances because your opponent is just as trash as you. When I play people at my rating now, I feel as if even one mistake can just completely destroy any hope of winning (as it should be as well). I don't know if I'm just overdoing it or if Chess just isn't for me, but I just don't have much fun playing against good players anymore. Every game feels like a grind (if I don't blunder like I often do). Even after taking a weeklong break, coming back and playing a bunch of games, I still don't really see any aspect of chess that I really enjoy anymore. and tbf I quit playing sports for the same reason. I wasn't bad ( I was actually really good at Football/Soccer), but just didn't get any enjoyment out of it once everyone started taking sports extremely seriously and became super competitive.
I guess my question is this: Am I burnt out, or does it seem like I just don't like chess anymore?
I'm aware of how dumb this post is/sounds but I don't feel like rewriting anything
first, this isn't a dumb post at all
second, take a break if you want from chess and maybe stop playing chess for a month or so, but whatever you do make sure to NOT CLOSE YOUR ACCOUNT
Sep 6, 2021
0
#24
DBB,
I understand your feeling of burnout, and wondering if you still like playing the game as much as you once did. I agree with all the posts/support about taking a break. That being said after taking a break, if you feel the "itch" to play or be around the game, be involved in other ways. Maybe just work on the club for awhile, offer to be a mentor/ teacher to other players who need the help and guidance. I don't agree that B & M would "die", but I do believe it would a big hit without your thoughts, insights and experience. Just my nickels worth, but end of the day what's best for you.
Sep 6, 2021
0
#25
This is one of your better posts.
Response to your questions: Burnout—probably, Lack of Interest—possibility, Lack of Commitment—most likely and Lack of Direction—definitely.
You are not having fun anymore in football or chess because it has become too serious and competitive. Chess, Sport and Life are all competitive. It would appear that there could possibly be other things in your life that are creating doubt, stress, etc. on your perspective. Such things are not suitable for a forum discussion but would urge you to brutally and honestly continue to ask “WHY” until you find the true cause of your unhappiness. Once identified, the issue can be satisfactorily addressed. As a young adult, there is so much going on in your life (personal, emotional, physical, mental & social), it is amazing anyone survives adolescence. But we all do and each has their own path. In fact, we will continue this roller coaster ride as adults.
Chess and Life have similar themes. You are in the “opening” of your journey thru life; develop all your talents and improve your weaknesses. Chess openings are about piece development and tempo; you can move only one piece at a time, seek to develop all pieces before attacking, etc, all leading to a good middle game position. Tactics and Strategy are Goals and Action Plans; End games are the realization of your efforts in reaching your goal. Chess is a game; nothing more. It can be as serious as you want, but at end of the day, all the pieces still go back in the box. Philosophical, yes; but it leads into my recommendation.
My suggestion is you do a “reset”; go back to the basics, put all things in proper perspective. Do introspection, goal setting, etc. From a chess perspective, ask “What do I want from chess?” And “Why do I want it?” With strong answers, you will find commitment; otherwise, you may find your time better invested in other things.
Your goals for 2022: 2000 Rapid and 3 OTB tournaments. Explain “why” for each goal and the “action/training plan” for each. Further, it would seem these goals are in conflict with each other. I believe short time formats are detrimental to developing a sound chess foundation. Once you get an FIDE/USCF 2000+ (Chess.com 2200+) rating, then pursue it as you will have the necessary knowledge and skills. If you must play Rapid, G/30, G/60 or longer time limits. There is a lot of training required for successful OTB.
I know you will get thru this period of time. All the best
Sep 7, 2021
0
#26
Honestly I think you've been doing too much tryhard rapid in competitive... most of the time I stay away from that for good reason! I don't play "serious" a majority of the time. Every week I would get down and chat with friends while playing chess. No stress, no worry. If unrated makes you happy do that. Or just switch to blitz 
after all thinking is quite unnecessary there!
LazyDog24 wrote:
It's okay to walk away from something, and see if you may or may not want to come back. It's normal to get into something then to lose interest. It's the cycle of life.
What a strange flag you have... I never saw the such.
what is your country?
I am wearing the flag of Angola. After I joined I was tried of having the same ol flag, so I found something shiny.
DaBabysBurner wrote:
Not sure how to write this so apologies for the low quality post
I've been playing since November 2020, when I made an account on cc for the first time. just wanted to play some casual games during the pandemic like a lot of beginners did. I ended up with this determination to improve after I immediately plunged 400 points in a day when I first started. I basically just watched youtube videos as my sole educational resource until I hit 1600, but by then I had already reached around 7,000 games total, so I reckon just the sheer amount of games I played was the reason for the bulk of my improvement
Recently i've been playing a lot of unrated. It just feels better to me to not have the stress of my rapid rating being determined by the result of a rated game. I realized that I missed being a beginner quite a bit (Even if I am still one). When I was lower rated, both me and my opponents would probably make at least 5 blunders a game, miss a couple wins and make numerous mistakes, but it was fun just navigating completely unknown positions and knowing that you still have winning chances because your opponent is just as trash as you. When I play people at my rating now, I feel as if even one mistake can just completely destroy any hope of winning (as it should be as well). I don't know if I'm just overdoing it or if Chess just isn't for me, but I just don't have much fun playing against good players anymore. Every game feels like a grind (if I don't blunder like I often do). Even after taking a weeklong break, coming back and playing a bunch of games, I still don't really see any aspect of chess that I really enjoy anymore. and tbf I quit playing sports for the same reason. I wasn't bad ( I was actually really good at Football/Soccer), but just didn't get any enjoyment out of it once everyone started taking sports extremely seriously and became super competitive.
I guess my question is this: Am I burnt out, or does it seem like I just don't like chess anymore?
I'm aware of how dumb this post is/sounds but I don't feel like rewriting anything
Man, even great Champions stop playing Chess for that reason.
I heard that Garry Kasparov did it not very long ago.
Then he tried to return in the world of Chess but without big success.
As for me... I "hate" proffessionals in every field.
When one dedicates his life to only one vocation... he impoverishes himself.
Sep 7, 2021
0
#32
Sometimes it good to take a break, refresh your mind, and come back to it when you feel like its exciting again
korotky_trinity wrote:
As for me... I "hate" proffessionals in every field.
When one dedicates his life to only one vocation... he impoverishes himself.
If I were you, i'd grind through it. i know everyone doesn't have this mentality, but sometimes there's obstacles we need to pass along whatever our journey is. remind yourself why u play chess, and if u feel like you want to improve then grind through it, if u only want fun then take breaks and play whenever u feel the urge.
Sep 7, 2021
0
#35
ninjaswat wrote:
Anyways if you do close I get owner of B&M -_-
lol - clearly not what they were expecting, but I think (for what it is worth) you would make a good club owner @ninjaswat
Sep 7, 2021
0
#36
KeSetoKaiba wrote:
ninjaswat wrote:
Anyways if you do close I get owner of B&M -_-
lol - clearly not what they were expecting, but I think (for what it is worth) you would make a good club owner @ninjaswat
meh it was offered before but he's better
Sep 7, 2021
0
#38
ninjaswat wrote:
KeSetoKaiba wrote:
ninjaswat wrote:
Anyways if you do close I get owner of B&M -_-
lol - clearly not what they were expecting, but I think (for what it is worth) you would make a good club owner @ninjaswat
meh it was offered before but he's better
xD
Sep 7, 2021
0
#39
darkbrah7654 wrote:
so im just curious to know who is like the co-owner in B&M?
pretty much me I keep the club alive and was owner before I gave to him
7,000 games in less than a year is a lot of chess. There were many nights that I played game after game after game during extensive downtime at work. Basically we were just sitting in apprehension waiting for something bad to happen that we'd need to respond to. The company wouldn't let us bring cellphones or gaming systems to work and Chess.com was one of the few recreational sites not blocked by IT on the company computers. I could always minimize the browser, too, and make it look like I was reading the intranet memos when anyone came by. I was logging thousands of chess games without investing in any infrastructure for actually improving at it.
Even so, it took me almost 3 years to reach 7,000 games, and that includes the hours I played during the pandemic lockdown. The pandemic forced people to spend months making do with activities that were not their first choices.
Maybe now you can play fewer games and with less emotional investment. Making it to 1600 is very good. That's probably around 97th percentile. So that you won't suffer skill drift and may continue to make some improvement, you could limit yourself to the daily puzzle and one 10 minute game a day. Have the computer quickly analyze the game afterward to identify your inaccuracies and point out the best alternatives without having to agonize over them.
Try cutting it down to 15 minutes a day, maybe even 15 minutes a week, until you start enjoying it again. Limiting your games can also inure yourself against the worst losing streaks that tend to hit when you're in a low mood and not enjoying yourself, lacking focus and energy, and most inclined to just keep clicking "new game".