collapsing under clock pressure

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djconnel

So, I played chess as a kid, but only with friends (no formal competition), and just started playing some games here, but the biggest challenge I face is the freaking clock.  And I'm not talking 5-minute blitz games, even 10-minute rapid.  I have a really hard time avoiding overt blunders.

I've been practicing with bots, trying to get in the habit of moving more quickly.
I think part of it is just getting into the habit of scanning for attacks, scanning for checks, scanning for vulnerabilities left behind if I move a piece (before I move), and getting better at predicting where the opponent will move so I can respond immediately (thinking on their clock rather than mine).  But it's almost worse with reckless, undisciplined opponents... I don't anticipate their bold assaults and then crumble.
Anyway, it's all good fun, and I'll keep at it for now.

djconnel

One thing I've been doing is focusing on making good moves in a timely manner and if I lose on time, so be it.  I'd rather lose on time than to blunder.  In my rating class there's a decent chance the opponent will blunder and I can exploit that.

GeorgeWyhv14

play mindlessly and learn from the game.