Chess and Coffee

Coffee actually helps me focus.  For some adults (and some kids) with ADD, caffeine actually helps calm you down.  I can drink 5 or 6 cups of coffee and, other than having to make trips to the bathroom, immediately go to sleep like a baby.  So, "one size doesn't fit all" and I guess the secret is in knowing your own reactions to caffeine and choosing accordingly.

I've had days without coffee. No problem. OTOH, the taste and drug of coffee, when the coffee is of good quality, is not something I would consider giving up. Those of you who dislike it can keep your views to yourself.

Coffee sometimes upsets my stomach so I have to be very careful when/where I drink it .  I more often get my caffeine from cold drinks like iced tea or coke . 

Totally unscientific and anecdotal update: I'm drinking black tea now instead of coffee and playing better. Is there a correlation? Who knows

ask your doctor

i am not a doctor

I wasn't asking you specifically  But such a question isn't important enough for an expensive medical visit in the U.S....I'll have to stick to my unscientific, mad-scientist experimentation! Back on coffee now and playing fine so.....results are inconclusive!

yeah i've noticed this too. Coffee in general gives me brain fog, i play chess a little worse, read worse, am less put together when i speak etc. But coffee at work is so much better than no coffee so i drink it. If im off work for a few days ill only drink tea and my game improves.

i like a good cup of coffee

Seems legit, had the same case done personally, when quitted regular coffee drinking it became much easier to visualise a chessboard, and faster decision taking.

Now drinking coffee rarely, but still, wondering how many of players here had had the same.

It's impossible to imagine my day without coffee.