Getting worse with practice!? - Chess Forums

Thatmanphil

Dec 28, 2017

0

#1

Seriously, I'm getting worse the more I play. I've been reading up, watching videos, solving puzzles... But I lose almost every single game I play live lately, and I can no longer defeat the CPU at levels I could a month ago. Am I overthinking? Rushing?...It seems I miss a lot of simple things like hanging my Queen or checkmate in 1.
Has anyone else experienced a sharp dip in skills as a beginner?

ActuallySleepy

Dec 28, 2017

0

#2

Your last game only lasted 11 moves, so either you resigned to early or lost on time. I’ve seen people play the line but it’s tricky. Seems you should have developed more pieces before gobbling up the hanging pawn.

ActuallySleepy

Dec 28, 2017

0

#3

I guess it really begs the question what exactly are you studying? But I will say I’ve had a “dip” right before most of the times I’ve had rapid improvement. Sometimes it takes some time to adjust the new ideas to your game.

Go back to basics of natural development out of the opening and focus on not hanging pieces (and taking hanging pieces) and you’ll get over 1000 easily.

Thatmanphil

Dec 28, 2017

0

#4

Thanks. I jus started a few moths ago, but I'm not seeing any progress despite (what I feel like) putting in the time and effort.

Thatmanphil

Dec 28, 2017

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#5

Thanks, I've been doing the lessons here on chess.com and watching youtube videos of a guy who does a great job explaining moves and the reasons behind them. He's rated at 1800-2100 or so. But playing people at my level, just get attacked right at the 2nd move and sometimes I don't know how to deal with it.

ActuallySleepy

Dec 28, 2017

0

#6

What have you been doing?

Slow games are better for learning, blitz is more for fun... don’t let the timer on the tactics rush you, really search for the right answer. Blah blah blah Chess is a hard game. I’ve spent 10 years on this site and am still subpar.

slytherin_forever

Dec 28, 2017

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#7

It's OK. That happened to me a few months ago. Try working on your sense of danger. You should know when some piece is attacking you. After your opponent plays his/her move ask yourself, What is he attacking?, What are my weaknesses?

ActuallySleepy

Dec 28, 2017

0

#8

The people attacking you at move 2 are giving you a great chance to develop pieces while chasing theirs around. Just don’t fall into their traps.

m_connors

Dec 28, 2017

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#9

I have felt the same way. I started playing again in August; however, I played chess for about a year back in the 70's (yesss, I'm that old). If you are brand new, I think you should expect to take a little longer learning some of the basics. If I recall when I was brand new it took several months just to get comfortable with the pieces and their movements. It helped reading a book for beginners to learn about basic tactics and when I started again this year I bought several as a refresher. Give it more time and keep at it. Try not to get too discouraged. Good luck!!

ActuallySleepy

Dec 28, 2017

0

#10

Yeah, kaynight has been here about as long as I have 😂

santiagomagno15

Dec 28, 2017

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#11

you said your were playing the computer, sometimes the computer plays really good I dont know why, I am 1863 on blitz right now, and sometimes I played against the medium computer on the old chess.com and he beat me, after I made the analysis I find out she played extremely well, sometimes that happen, other reason is your mood I play blitz and I can go to 1950 easy, but I can lose too, and if I do I am going to be in a bad mood and lose even more, the prove is that I had 1975 and I played in a really bad mood and I went to 1780, the next day I play and went up 100 points, if you want you can hire a coach, I am giving a free lesson, just message me.

kindaspongey

Dec 28, 2017

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#12

"... If it’s instruction, you look for an author that addresses players at your level (buying something that’s too advanced won’t help you at all). This means that a classic book that is revered by many people might not be useful for you. ... the chess book experience is a very personal one. ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (2015)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-best-chess-books-ever

D2-D2

Dec 28, 2017

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#13

keep in mind that a notable rating increase is -+ 25 points and a notable increase happened every month or two then you would be world champion in a few years.

slytherin_forever

Dec 28, 2017

0

#14

What???!!!

slytherin_forever

Dec 28, 2017

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#15

OMG

Shock_Me

Dec 28, 2017

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#16

As others have said, you are playing games which are too fast. Look at your most recent game with LaBrad911. Going into move 4, you obviously have a plan in mind-double attack him at f2. Good plan, but you are moving so fast that you have not noticed that in this symmetric position, he has the same plan- he's attacking your f7 weakness. In fact, you are moving so fast that you have not seen that his choice of taking the f7 pawn with his knight is better than your plan of taking with your bishop-even though he makes his move first!

At this speed, you have no time at all to think and apply what you have been learning. Play slower games. Look carefully at all your possible moves. Think about what your opponent is planning just as much as you think about your own plans.

Tower_Of_London

Jul 2, 2022

0

#17

I’m in the same boat. I’ve been studying chess books, doing puzzles and doing chess.com lessons. I have dropped from 1395 to 1272 rapidly. Not Blitz or anything like that but 1 day per move, not that it ever takes that long. I have come to the conclusion that the more I learn the worse I get. I look for pins, forks, hidden attacks and all the rest, all while my opponent is tearing me to shreds. I end up looking like someone who only started playing last week when actually I’ve been fairly active on chess.com for about the past 3 or 4 years. My point is I completely understand your issue.