How to not get frustrated over every loss?

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Avatar of Rodixxxxx

I am still kind of a beginner, and I know that I will still learn and get better, but I have a problem. I don't know what it is with me, but I get soooo frustrated over any loss and it just makes me wanna quit everything and leave chess. I do want to see losses as opportunities to learn from my mistakes and improve, but my inner feelings hold me back and I can't help it or just ignore it. I am scared of playing online and just getting demolished.

Does someone know advice or has dealt with the same issue? (By the way the only wins I have are against my friends who don't play chess at all or just bots)

Avatar of hrarray
Take a break when you are having a bad day
Avatar of PGendotti

Don't be too hard on yourself! A lot of sports psychology - which should apply to chess - involves not stressing and imploding over every mistake or loss. The theory is that you should stay positive and that you can learn more if you are not winning, and that yoir attitude and mentality is really what helps people at the higher levels of a game have more success when skill levels are close. You could check out some sports books like "The Champion's Mind" to learn more!

Avatar of Chuck639

In my first year, I gave myself a hall pass to have fun, play a bunch and make a lot of mistakes. Win some lose some, whatever.

At the intermediate level, the games are too intense for me sometimes that the losses are bothersome but what I do is analyze my losses and channel some of that frustration out.

Take a break. Hang out with my friends, nieces and nephew over Netflix or a camp fire, always does the trick.

Avatar of KZforever

It's OK to be bad at chess. I told myself that, and I believe it. 

You hit a plateau. You can improve a bit by doing lessons and puzzles, but, realistically, the people who get good at this game can not only take all the lessons and puzzles onboard and not forget them, but they remember gambits and sequences, etc. They are also able to play without making blunders or mistakes. They just have that clarity - different/more neurons working than people like us eternal "beginners". 

There's the level you can attain, the level I can attain, the level a master can attain, etc. All different. In life, generally, you can only play the hand you've got. If you go into boxing as an adult noob you'll get better up to a certain point, but if your goal is to compete in matches, you will most likely simply fail, get frustrated and accumulate brain damage. 

Life isn't a fair playing field. Not everyone has a special talent or ability. Some people have many talents, but many have absolutely none. It's quite possible to get through life without being good at anything. Not worth getting stressed about it. Those people who are good at chess might also be poor, have physical or mental health problems, or whatever. You just don't know.

Avatar of toilet_bowl_1
I’ve been having the same problem I just take a break maybe for a walk and come back when I’m ready
Avatar of skitenchevio
chesspiecesRyummy wrote:

just stop losing 

four out of the five last games you played were losses.

don't be mean.

Avatar of RoobieRoo

we are human and prone to aberration, its inevitable that we will make mistakes, its entirely unrealistic to think otherwise, embrace your mistakes and learn from them,

"Most players ... do not like losing, and consider defeat as something shameful. This is a wrong attitude. Those who wish to perfect themselves must regard their losses as lessons and learn from them what sorts of things to avoid in the future" - Jose Raul Capablanca

chess is ultimately a game of error.

Avatar of Wildfire1527
RoobieRoo wrote:

we are human and prone to aberration, its inevitable that we will make mistakes, its entirely unrealistic to think otherwise, embrace your mistakes and learn from them,

"Most players ... do not like losing, and consider defeat as something shameful. This is a wrong attitude. Those who wish to perfect themselves must regard their losses as lessons and learn from them what sorts of things to avoid in the future" - Jose Raul Capablanca

chess is ultimately a game of error.

well what about playing with mental illnesses

Avatar of 1gu355ch35515fun

Play more, lose more, and you'll get used to it. Saying 'Good game, well played' after every game also helps.

Avatar of RemovedUsername333

Well, like coming out of a year-long siege, you just have to be happy with what you have left.

Be thankful you did not die and that you're here on Earth, and remember: There is more to life than chessmen in a videogame. 

Happy hunting

Battle battle battle!