Losing focus

Hey! I'm having a problem. I'd like to improve, but whenever I watch chess vids I lose focus (start doing something else). I like to play chess, but getting better at chess, seems to be very difficult. Can someone who is struggling with the same problem tell me what should I do? 

I have a similar problem -- I get distracted. Try pausing the video when you start doing something else. Then go back to the same video. Make sure they are videos that are interesting to you. Many of them move too fast for me. I like to study openings because, well, that's how the game starts. 

I've tried with different vids, but I always get distracted. That's not the case when I watch someone streaming though, but they don't tend to explain stuff much on streams

Sorry, but that sounds even more boring 😂

They are not always engaging presenters so try to find a few who you enjoy watching. John Bartholomew is well thought of not only because he explains chess well, but he is also a good presenter. Engaging an audience isn't easy and some do it better than others. I prefer short, focused, lectures on a specific topic, no more then 15-20 mins. Definitely cant sit through a 1 hr lecture. Find a format that works for you. Are you using the videos to actively learn or binging on what looks interesting? I pick a topic, controlling the centre for example, then watch 3 or 4 videos on it, then make some notes and reflect on the ideas, then try them in my games.

Guess I should have said thank you. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for every tip and suggestion and I did fine in school

Imho it’s not you all. It’s the way chess is both presented and taught to start with.
It was such a problem to me that I stopped & decided to try to write down stuff about that empty vastness between beginner and solid chess player. So far I’ve spent time online with just one high schooler, and within a couple of sessions his game completely changed. But he’s a pretty sharp kid.
If any of you would be interested in stepping through one of your games or how openings work (and don’t work) I’d enjoy your feedback.
No “lessons” (I’m not a coach) and I’m not selling anything. It’s just an experiment, but I’ll also explain things the traditional way, too, so hopefully there would be something in it for you no matter what.
If any of you are interested start by friending me... and the more the merrier, too, because everyone’s got a valued perspective to offer.
Best chess wishes!

Hey forget vid. Play for your heart and go😉

Not sure this will help but I will mention it anyways. People can learn 2 ways: hands on and visually by watching video, reading books, etc. If you are hands on person only way to get trained is you use trainer that teach you opening, chess ideas, positional play etc. Good example is chessable.com this site has free openings, how to think strategically, etc. This might help you as it did to me. You play through the opening each move, click on variations to see what other possibilities look like in chess. It helped me since I hate watching videos. 

Personally I prefer chess books. "My System" by Nimzovich

I also find books and videos quite boring. e.g. my favorite chess videos on youTube, Chess Network, are excellent but I also tend to doze off...

However, I went from beginner to 1500 very fast through doing the "academy" within Chessmaster 11, and just playing a few online games.
Chessmaster 11 is at least a decade old at this point, so it should just be a few dollars.

If only there was a chess teaching app that went all the way up to the strategies for 2000+

Pick a teacher (online tutor) who makes the video interesting and engaging. There are many good players but few good teachers. I personally like GingerGM videos and he does not bore me at all. I don't skip and get distracted when an interesting lesson is being taught by the video presenter. 

Also there is a limit for everyone, after certain point we all get distracted. We can not concentrate all day. So slowly try to improve your learning stamina. Having difficulty while learning is a sign of improvement.

Hope it helps. Good day

I think Shri has the best idea

I've probably improved the most the past few months because my son has gotten interested in the game and also studies a lot of videos. He's very analytical, so he likes to study openings. When we play -- and we are about even, I may be slightly better -- we often will recreate a setting on the board and analyze the position together, sometimes with the help of a chess engine. We both get better and have fun in the process.

Consider finding a live human to play against instead of the more ascetic, solitary self-study.

My advice is to play better players than yourself, as strong opponents can encourage you to raise your own level, and having a challenge will show you the areas where you should focus on improving your skills. After that you can naturally seek out resources such as books, videos and puzzles. It's always instructive to find a game between two experts and try to understand each player's thought process behind the moves they have played. Although some of their ideas may be quite advanced and difficult to grasp, it is nonetheless a very helpful exercise and way to guide your thinking. I have found that even reading about chess history and the great champions can sometimes reinvigorate my interest in the game when I'm lacking motivation.

If you have a problem with Focus and lets say you want to study Lessons here on Chess.com, there is easy solution. Avarage Lesson time arround 5 minutes, so lets say, if you have free time, spend each free hour with one lesson. So lets say its Sunday and the entire day is lazy day for rest, now every hour make one lesson, study for 5-10 minutes and then just do something else, you will see after a month you will have amazing ammount of lessons finished  

This is something tough as getting better at chess is a matter of desire and dedication, it is not something that comes natural, similiar to a lot of other sports and mental sports. You just have to have a certain drive to get better at the game and if you don't have it then you will not get better in the way you want to...

What I say is that you make time for the game and you try to put it above the non-priorities in life. Honestly I think the best you can do is just try to play the game naturally and improve naturally and then you will be in a place that you want to be. But since you want to improve I suggest trying to make more time for it and have lessened distractions so yu can focus more on the game and leave other things out...

Really you just have to build dedication and time for it and the rest will follow through.

Sorry if this is not a direct answer but hopefully this was good...

Hello 👋💋💋

I agree with the responder that said it is a matter of desire and dedication. Think about what you like the most in chess and do that. Next, you'll have to study/analyze that. For example, when watching a vid, you should have a board setup either physically or on the computer; pause the vid to analyze and make moves. Afterwards, check your ideas with an engine.

If you're in a bullet and blitz phase, then work on your opening rep and analyze the games that spark your attention. 

The main key is to do what you like the most or what you're in the mood for bc that's half the battle towards maintaining your focus, desire and dedication.

 

Play Every Game For Fun.... No Expectations ...to get concentration....Fun Means No Bore.....😀😀😎😎