Advice please

Dear all

I am really struggling with motivation to carry on my games.

I have recently lost 9 out of 10 games and I am struggling with form.

Does anybody have some constructive advice please?

A) Take a short break -- maybe you've been playing too much and are getting burned out, not giving individual games the attention they deserve? 

B) remind yourself (because it's true) that you learn more from losing, much more in fact, than winning. Losing streaks are how you pay your fare for your next ride on a winning streak.

C) Losing sucks however, much sympathy! Some people give up competitive chess entirely because they can't stand the losing. It's obviously silly when seen from the outside, but I definitely understand the feeling.

Well, it seems that part of the problem am I. You must not forget, that when we started playing my rating was at 1200 because I hadn't played any games. Even that I don't have an idea what my rating will be after let's say 200 games, but it seems that I'm stronger than you - at the moment at least. And I think that this is pointing to the important issue, you have been playing stronger players a lot lately. That is a good thing to become stronger - but it means that you chances of winning are relatively small. So if you are frustrated in the moment, try playing a good mix of stronger, weaker and equally strong players - and chances are good that you win some of them.

After all we're talking of turn-based games. So take your time. Make use of the analysis board. And be it only to make the sanity check for the move. Make the move. Flip the board. Look at the position through your oponents eyes, think what you would play now - and if you find a line that you don't like - search again for another move. Doing this I sometimes sidestep lines that might objectively be O.K. but that I don't like.

After the game analyse it. Discuss the game with the opponent, if he agrees on that, and get his thoughts. I for example could analyze the game for myself and send a pgn to you if you like (annotated a bit more than I would do for myself). Before looking at my analysis make the analysis for yourself (offer the opponent to send it to him as well). This way both can learn from the ideas of the other.

Best regards

Reini

Hi, I know it can suck when you are on a losing streak! I know, i've been there and hate it!

You should analyse all games both won and lost for better analysis, also upgrade so you can enjoy videos, chess mentor, computer workout, and a ton of other benifits.

One thing that I wanted to put in the first post, but then I forgot (obviously it was already too long). Make use of the tactics-trainer, this will definitely improve your play.

Thankyou all for your advice - very much appreciated.

I have since won a couple and that has helped.

Reini - let me win one ;-)

If this is really a big wish of yours, I will do so - but in my opinion this won't help your ego (not sure this is the correct term in English). But I think a better alternative would be to play a game, and I tell you all my ideas directly after my moves. My guess is, eventually you will win this game anyway. If you're interested, just challenge me (For the records: Unrated to keep the ratings clean. Off the records: Personally I don't care if it's rated).

possibly you are missing beating me

Haha - cheers Tiplerboy ;-)

Reini - may challenge you unrated in the near future...