She's a cruel mistress, chess. Thanks for your post; I think we all go through similar ups and downs. As you pointed out, actual OTB games can be a wonderful incentive. There is just something about an actual physical human being to play with that makes it all so more enjoyable. The actual feel of the pieces, the sound a nicely weighted piece makes as you set it (or bang it) down, the exchanged looks at critical parts of the game. Doesn't have to be a club, although of course that's the surest way to get better, even a neighbor you have to explain "castling" and "en passant" to every time you play will do. Makes staring at the computer screen bearable again.
8 Months Since I Started
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I just thought I would share some observations about chess, and my own personal experience. I started playing when I was very young and played in clubs at school. I even went to a competition and did respectably well. Then I didn't play for 20 plus years until I found chess.com in December 2012. I've since played every day. At first my rating floundered around 1200 as I was rusty and then it went through peaks, dips and plateaus. My highest so far has been about 1475, which I achieved by playing some fairly strong chess. I have noticed that I tend to climb rapidly, then drop a long way, not to attain my peak again for a long time and then fly up again, smashing everyone in my path through sheer confidence. During these times I have great clarity in my mind and can even beat people around 1600. My best result was a draw against a computer programme on ELO 2100. Anyway, what I have noticed is this: Whenever I go down in the doldrums I need a new angle, a new mode of study, a new reason to feel enthusiastic about the game to reinvigorate my play and my rating. That might be buying a new book, starting to watch videos online (I recommend kingscrusher on Youtube.com), or throwing myself into opening theory. If I just keep playing with the same mindset and set of chess tools in my mind I stagnate, the same mistakes become habit and I lose confidence. I think your chess skills are like a field you need to keep churning so new games can grow up from it, rather than the same old patterns. I'm sure people who play a lot already know this, but I wanted to share my experience and ask what other people have done to re-energise themselves and their skills during a slump. I am currently at a rather modest 1275 and repeatedly losing to low-rated players. I can't see two moves ahead and, unfortunately, am getting emotional about my loses. I have decided that I need to learn new openings and go to an actual chess club and play over a real board in order to shake things up and play enjoyably again. I hope other people will share their views and experiences on this thread. Thanks!!