Chess Plateau

Causes me to big out rather.. playing Blitz and bullet isn't a big deal. It's when I'm using up 10-15-30 minutes of my time only to get so close to winning, then blow it at the end. It's happened so many times, and it feels like wasted time. Hard to explain really, but I do enjoy the game, I just hate the rating system and knowing how much I suck when I lose to somebody with a super low rating as well.

Causes me to bug out.. *typo twice cause of my phones auto correct*

I understand you to some extent because I generally play 1 hours per side rated games (lately I started playing 30 minute ones in order to have a shot of playing some higher rated people), and there are games that you play well, almost 2 hours pass, only for you to mess it all up in the end. And there are such devastating defeats...

But, as I've said, that feeling of desperation passes and the more you play the better you become of overcoming such defeats. I go through a game, I see what my mistake was and I go on after a while.

I even enjoy some of my defeats, as in the feeling of playing an interesting game. For me, shorter games can't compare to longer ones, where I can play to the best of my ability and where I have positions where I have to think for several minutes. For me, it is a different game, and if I was forced to play 3|2 games and shorter, I am not sure I would be playing chess at all.

Makes sense.. I understand where you are coming from. I just get hung up at not wanting to lose. There was an acct I had that I made it up to 1000 rating and I felt I was on the right track.. the I lost about 400 rating in like the course of an hour and a half just by losing games repeatedly.. at that point I "rage quitted" (reset my acct) because I was upset by it. Just something I struggle with.

It's really worth it to get someone to look at your games - friend that is stronger than you or a coach. Just one short feedback can save you a lot of hours of depression and doing the same thing over and over again.

One thing about really longer games... you can't play 30 in a day if you play those, so you can't lose rating that fast due to tilt (basically I would say that losing 400 rating points in an hour is similar to how people lose thousands upon thousands of dollars when gambling).

So one thing I would advise you is to play a game, then do not play another, but go through your game (of course, if it is not bullket as going through those is more or less meaningless). Or at least, you know, play 2-3 games, and then go through them all, if you really wish to play more than one.

Okay.. I just don't know what to look for when I review the games. The analysis tells me that most of my moves are either good, mistakes, or what not, but I'm unsure how to use that information. I'll definitely try what you are saying though. I legit want to get better.

Well, that is why passive learning by YouTube videos (if you wish free material, then at least this), paid courses, books and/or other stuff should be on the cards as well. That plus analysis in combination is very helpful. Of course, all that takes time, and you shouldn't be pressured to get better too much.

Try to alter your mindset to view chess as something nice you want to get better at, but try to not pressure yourself that you have to do it. It should be enjoyable after all.
For instance, I would like to get better than I am now, but if not, I will still enjoy playing games.

Most of the videos on youtube only talk about not hanging pieces. Not blundering. Protecting pieces. ect, the very basic. Every thing else is just about memorizing openings. Can't do much when I don't know how to tactically take advantage.

Well, I've given you that article that has instructional channels among other things. One example, this series is very good:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQsLDm9Rq9bHKEBnElquF8GuWkI1EJ8Zp

It teaches you some basic concepts, and how to think about certain things like trades and tactics etc.

Opening videos are not very useful for sub 1 000 people. Even beyond that, opening principles are much more important.

And by the way, basics will get you a long way, if you are able to understand them and practice them. For instance people below 800 barely know how to practice opening principles well. Not all of them, but many of them.

Hi! You need to improve your understanding of the game little by little , basically getting skilled in: openings, strategy, tactics and endgames.

If you would like to read more about developing your chess skills, see my post: https://www.chess.com/blog/maafernan/chess-skills-development

Good luck!

But I'm within 500 elo. How is memorizing openings going to make me improve? I heard you don't worry about opening tell like 1,700 and up?

Hi! Openings are part of the chess knowledge and are important, just like tactics, strategy and endgames are. Please check out my post on chess skills development: https://www.chess.com/blog/maafernan/chess-skills-development.

Ideally all skills should be developed little by little at the same time, especially at the beginner level.

For instance, learning openings at the beginner level is more about learning their fundamentals (piece development, centre control, king's safety) and understanding their practical application instead of memorizing variations.

Then the other aspects of the game have to developed as well, of course.

Good luck!

That was when I was playing all night long for 6 hours without sleep. I got mad and quit when I was in a losing position I did not like after going on tilt.

Man me too!