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I was watching a video series by IM John Bartholomew(which I really recommend, as I find it super instructive) where he plays against players in the ranges of up to 1000, 1000-1200,1200-1400,1400-1600,1600-1800, and 1800-2000 respectively in seperate videos. I found myself doing very well after watching them(I don't want to sound like another one of those 'silver bullet ads' but that's what happened to me.It could have a different result for you) since I noticed that many players in my level(at that time it was in the higher 1100s.) blunder against him and that he simply knew how to punish them for any tactical opportunities that had not been accounted for, so I found that the so called 'big trick' was to play the game correctly with moves that don't compromise any material(correct moves as in moves with purpose that actually help your position the right way. No I'm not talking about 1.h3) while also checking that my opponent fails to do the same.This worked with him all the way to the 1600-1800 range(although I must say that players at the 1800-2000 rating range are not immune either. I think if I remember correctly, the first player he faced in that range ended up blundering too.)
After my rating skyrocketed to 1300 with this strategy, I played one guy at the 1457 rating or something, I lost an ending where I was two pawns up, which demoralized me, and he whooped me several times after 2 more rematches. I was enthralled to see that I was the one blundering after careful play.
This brings me to the concept of tilt. Tilt, in video gaming terms, is when a player goes on a set of losing streaks due to the demotivation and frustration that comes from your first few losses. This phenomenon is recurring in many video games and happens in chess as well.
So what is the solution? From the videos that I've been watching about tilt, the solution is to take a break from chess for a little bit. That could probably reduce your blunders and help you last much longer in your games than you would be with the smiley face turned upside down.
While breaks can be the solution for tilt, what would be a more direct solution to preventing blunders? I'd like to hear your thoughts in the comments and tell me what did and did not work out for you
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