Struggle bus

was it gradual or one big losing streak?

I reviewed 5 of your losses and your time management is to blame. You are playing 15|10 but blitzing out most of the moves. That's basically the entire reason you are having trouble. If you are not going to use the time available from longer time controls, what's the point?

edit: I looked at more of your games just to be sure. They all end with you having 10+ minutes on the clock and in some cases, more time then you started with. This is not a way to improve at chess. But if you can slow down, use the time to think, do blunder checks before each move and ask yourself what your opponent is trying to do, you can improve. And if you can make it a habit and play with consistency, it will stop these "wild swings".

@Rowly91, it is good you ask and I do that too. Dropped 200 points in less than a week. Up/down. It seems everyone goes through that. I suspect it is a self-fulfilling prophecy ... just like a gambler who loses money, you want to keep playing to recoup your loss. I'd also just zone out and move like a complete dork!

Don't play if you: very hungry, tired, distracted, go pee first etc. Dignify each game with what it deserves ... your focus. And keep fun in it. If you're not having fun, do something else for awhile and don't keep playing if you're tilted. This is all from a newb's perspective and what I have gathered in seven months here.

2 take main take aways:

- Train yourself to anticipate your opponent's aggressive responses (like captures)

- Learn about piece rules and optomization. For example, rooks belong on open files. From open files, rooks mainly want to enter the 7th rank. Bishops love open positions, so when you have 2 bishops blow up the center etc.,

I have lessons that teach the latter positional concept. I also have lessons/ a training programm that helps you develop the skill of reducing 1 move or 2 move blunders

It's mostly about following key principles when playing. That approach helped me reach a 2000+ rating, and I teach others to do the same. You can learn them yourself as well. Here's an example of some chess principles: https://www.chess.com/article/view/principles-of-chess

yea, use key principles and blunderchecks, like said earlier

I'd suggest watching a player who explains the game, the play and thoughts from both their side and the opponent. You'd be surprised how much you learn and become better. I am a fan of IM Kassa Korley who does this. Get some tea, relax and watch

hi

HeckinSprout was very helpful. My advice is a derivative that has been said many times in many ways, in order to speed up you must slow down. I like the Navy SEALs version too, slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Happy chess,

hi