Chess and anxiety

Has anyone felt nervous about initiating a game for the fear of blundering hard? Ive been feeling a sense of dread when initiating a game, sometimes keeping me from playing for several days. Its usually unwarranted, when i play its fine, but just the feeling of starting a game can make me abit nervous. I know its a tad silly, but has anyone else had these hinderances? Just curious. Im sure its a frame of mind and I just need to let go of my worry but sometimes its hard, i must admit.

Yes I have had that problem. Mainly you just have to realize that points and people's opinions don't Matter. Embarassmet < Playing a game and trying your best.

Genius, thank you for your response. The real fear is letting myself down, but i suppose i can only do that by not playing. Its a surreal sensation to feel this nervous about even trying. Its a foolish practice i intend to stop. Much luck to you in future games!

What I learned from my experience is: If you do well will you not be accepted? If you work hard will you not reap the benefits? In doing what you can (I.E do lessons puzzles etc) Learn from a blunder and you will be capable of doing something better next time in a similar position. The rules of game tactics and strategy were established by thinking. Just do that.

Masters did not pick up a board and play exceptionally. They learned from their mistakes so think of it that way.

Excellent approach, some fine points to consider. I would guess its probably more advantageous to lose and learn, than to win and learn nothing. Maybe i am considering the possibility of concurrent losses in a negative light

The drawback of a rating system is everyone is very concerned about their rating. This is what causes "loss anxiety" that and the stuck up snobs who rub it in your face when you loose. If you take those two things away would you imagine that you would not care whether you won or lost? Just think of it as a game because that is what it is. :)

Joe,

I am a Missourian. I believe you have me confused with someone from Kansas. I understand the confusion, seeing as you cant seem to comment with dignity or class. You appear to aim high by shooting low, classy as ever a troll can be. Keep on boasting, friendo.

Kind regards,
Me.

 I have exactly the same 'problem'.. And a crappy rating. Worse still, the anxiety leads me to not think well and play awful moves! 

Klimski,

I know the feeling brother. Its an odd thing to fear a mistake you haven’t made yet, but alas it still seems to dominate our emotions prior to a match. Reconciling these issues can be difficult, even though its a game and the idea is to have fun, its the perfectionism in our blood that seems to cause the anxiety. The compulsive nature of the game itself to be so harsh on so little. Its good we can talk freely of this situation. Chess can be a truly empowering and socially constructive activity. Were just gonna have to trust in ourselves to make the best out of it and let go.

I like pigeons

Yes, chess is a fight, and it is normal to get nervous before a fight. I hate to destroy a wonderful position by making a stupid blunder, and in times of less self confidence I will have the feeling that I will blunder again even before making the first move. Sometimes is good to stop playing and invest a lot in analysis, trying to understand in which kind of positions you are making mistakes or inaccurate moves. A list of the most common mistakes will help you to play much better chess. In my case, I tend to relax too much in good / winning positions. This is a common mistake, as I also can turn a losing game in a win when my opponents believe that the plus in material is an automatic win. Perhaps you can show us some games you played and we can try to analyse them together.

Staples, who doesn’t. Pigeons are awesome!

Renato, that is solid advice and I do appreciate the help. How do you post games on threads? I am on the mobile version. I would gladly take an outside perspective towards my games.

[Site "Chess.com iPhone"]
[Date "10/16/2017 01:52AM"]
[White "twopunches (899)"]
[Black "ak472g (812)"]

1.e4 c5 2.Qf3 Nc6 3.c3 d6 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.Nh3 Bg4 6.Qg3 Qd7 7.Ng5 Ne5 8.d3 Nh5 9.Qe3 Nf6 10.Na3 Rb8 11.Bb5 Nc6 12.Bc4 Ne5 13.Bb5 Nc6 14.Bc4 a6 15.Bxf7 Kd8 16.Be6 Bxe6 17.Nxe6 Qxe6 18.Qg5 Qg4 19.Qxg4 Nxg4 20.h3 Nge5 21.d4 Nd3 22.Kd2 Nxf2 23.Rf1 Nxe4 24.Ke3 d5 25.c4 e6 26.cxd5 exd5 27.b3 Nxd4 28.Bb2 Kc7 29.Bxd4 cxd4 30.Kxd4 Nd2 31.Rfe1 Bxa3 32.Re2 Bb4 33.a3 Rhe8 34.Rxe8 Rxe8 35.axb4 Re4 36.Kxd5 Nxb3 37.Rb1 Rxb4 38.Ke6 Rb6 39.Kf7 g6 40.Kg7 Kd8 41.Kxh7 Ke7 42.Kh6 Kf6 43.Kh7 Kg5 44.Kg7 Kf5 45.g3 g5 46.g4 Ke6 47.Re1 Kd6 48.Kg6 Nd4 49.Kxg5 Nf3 50.Kf4 Nxe1 51.g5 Rb4 52.Kf5 Kd5 53.g6 Re4 54.Kf6 Re8 55.Kf7 Nf3 56.g7 Ng5 57.Kxe8 Ke6 58.g8Q Nf7 59.Qxf7 Ke5 60.Qxb7 a5 61.Qe7 Kd5 62.h4 {twopunches won on time}

Here is an example. Several blunders and I struggled in the endgame.

Sorry, i dont know how to post games on the discussion thread. I also dont know how to delete comments apparently. Forgive me, I am new to the forum.

Ciarli, Im not going to pretend i understood 1/3rd of that comment, but i think you are talking immediate tactical wins over strategy?

 I will try to post one of my games here. I did not do this many times, so I have to find out again how to do

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