Chess ability and ways of thinking

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Avatar of RalphHayward

I am asking this because of something that has recently happened to my grade.

My two disciplines are chess and theology. Normally my Bullet grade is just over 1800. But when I was reading and reflecting on a History of the Waldenses from 1622 recently my Bullet ability slipped and I struggled to stay over 1700.

Having finished the book, my Bullet grade is back over 1800. As far as I know, I have done nothing different. Certainly I have done no additional chess study.

It's not as simple as "the two ways of thought are incompatible" - I am now reading a different theological treatise with; it seems; no ill effect on my grade.

Is there any literature on; or other psychological explanation for; this sort of thing? Was this random chance, or might the two types of thinking have clashed somehow?

All ideas welcomed.

Avatar of MaetsNori

Yes, when you're learning something new, the brain uses resources (all the chemical and biological necessities to grow new neural connections).

This could mean that your thinking performance decreases, temporarily, while your brain is allocating more blood circulation / glucose consumption, etc ...

Sleep also plays a role, too ... As new learning connections get "consolidated" during certain phases of sleep ...

So yes, I'd say that your suspicion is correct. It's almost like the brain is a computer - and performance can lag when resources are diverted to do new tasks ...

Avatar of Burton_Bridge_Chess_UK

What was the different theological treatise you read afterwards? 

Avatar of RalphHayward

As it happens, "Towards Better Disagreement" (Paul Hedges, 2017). So a very different order of book indeed. @Burton_Bridge_Chess_UK

Avatar of PaulKnut

I am a writer. I have experienced that when I'm working on my literature, my chess rating drops as I play to take a pause from reading and writing, rather than to play to win. Something else is far more important than chess at that moment. It affects my chess and rating. I play to take a pause from something else, rather than to win.

Avatar of KeSetoKaiba

It is probably normal variance. Dropping from 1800 to 1650 or so is "only" a drop of 150 points. This may sound like a lot, but this is bound to happen eventually if you play enough bullet. As for what you were reading at the time, it's probably coincidental. I find that if I begin reading chess material, then I tend to notice it's effects about a month after being introduced to that new information. If anything, your drop is likely caused by something a month ago, or it's natural variance.

Avatar of TetrisFrolfChess

It could be an issue of focus. It could be natural fluctuation. Either way, glad you're back again.