JavaTigress wrote:
some days I seem to play rather well and everything clicks... otherdays, well... you get the picture.
My blitz ratings fluctuation reminds me of the S&P 500:
And the S&P 500:
Handling Losses and Feeling "Not Good Enough"
Sort:
I wonder what CAUSES that. i mean, if I knew what caused the 'down' periods i could go about avoiding them and enjoying myself a whole lot more.
Java~sometimes life gets in the way. Or, to look at it in another way...chess isn't all that important in the overall scheme of things. Peaks & valleys are normal at anytime. It's not an fickle thing, mind you. There is obviously an fine line between trying too hard, and not trying hard enough.
I'm a firm believer in, "there comes a time when one wakes up, and suddenly realizes where the pieces ought to go...". (No, not trying ta be confucious or confusing!)
8)
OK, guys. Does anyone know how to delete their chess.com account?
I am beginning to think there isn't any more point in this. I am beginning to think that I am NEVER going to be the best at this game, so WHY do I even bother? I don't WANT to quit, mind you, but I begin to feel like I am worthless at this game and have no business calling myself a chessplayer at all.
A the end of the day, it is only a GAME. A friend of mine got really good at golf, but it required lots of practice. When he didn't have the time to keep practicing as much, his game declined and he quit playing altogether. What a shame. I still hack at golf and chess, enjoying both with no apirations of being great at either. For a really good perspective, google Bernhard Langer's response when, after winning the Masters, he was asked "Is this the greatest moment of your life?". His reponse says it all. Google it. And keep playing for "the fun of playing". 
I wish I could be satisfied with it... truth is feeling like I stink at the game sort of spoils it for me.
JavaTigress wrote:
I wish I could be satisfied with it... truth is feeling like I stink at the game sort of spoils it for me.
Eh, who am I fooling, though, I am not likely to give up this game. ;)
I get irritated with myself at times, but that is about it.
JavaTigress wrote:
Kay, I don't entirely know how to say this but I am going to throw it out there. I figure talking about it might help... and on here seems to be the best place to look for people that might understand the dilemma.
Am I the only one that gets entirely discouraged with chess at times?
Here is the thing, i love the game, and while I might avoid those feelings by simply giving it up; I don't honestly foresee that happening... though i have threatened to do that at times. I have been told like i am a bit like the person who threatens to break up with their boyfreind/girlfreind and keeps coming back to them anyway.
Why do I even bring this up?
Truth is that I am not happy with my current rating on here at all and am not entirely certain how to go about improving it. What is more, it seems like my chess ability fluctuates in a VERY frustrating way... some days I seem to play rather well and everything clicks... otherdays, well... you get the picture. I am honestly not even certain what an accurate assesment of my playing strength would be. How can I avoid the slumps that seem to come for no apparent reason at all? How can I bring that number up?
One other question, how do others handle losses? I am sure I am not the only one that has ever had a game they just plain played poorly... but it seems like I am the only one that ever questions their worth as a chessplayer... their worthiness to even call themself that.
Just my musings and thoughts.
I know exactly how you feel. I get very upset at losing, to the extent that people who know me simply do not understand it. I have tried to rationalise it and obviously appreciate that you cannot win all the time and that I have no automatic entitlement to be better than others. None of this helps. I know that my mistakes are the reason for my losses, as in all cases, but I cannot see a good reason why I make them. Also, I cannot see how I might improve - make fewer mistakes? It's not that simple.
Aug 2, 2014
0
#91
RG1951 wrote:
JavaTigress wrote:
Kay, I don't entirely know how to say this but I am going to throw it out there. I figure talking about it might help... and on here seems to be the best place to look for people that might understand the dilemma.
Am I the only one that gets entirely discouraged with chess at times?
Here is the thing, i love the game, and while I might avoid those feelings by simply giving it up; I don't honestly foresee that happening... though i have threatened to do that at times. I have been told like i am a bit like the person who threatens to break up with their boyfreind/girlfreind and keeps coming back to them anyway.
Why do I even bring this up?
Truth is that I am not happy with my current rating on here at all and am not entirely certain how to go about improving it. What is more, it seems like my chess ability fluctuates in a VERY frustrating way... some days I seem to play rather well and everything clicks... otherdays, well... you get the picture. I am honestly not even certain what an accurate assesment of my playing strength would be. How can I avoid the slumps that seem to come for no apparent reason at all? How can I bring that number up?
One other question, how do others handle losses? I am sure I am not the only one that has ever had a game they just plain played poorly... but it seems like I am the only one that ever questions their worth as a chessplayer... their worthiness to even call themself that.
Just my musings and thoughts.
I know exactly how you feel. I get very upset at losing, to the extent that people who know me simply do not understand it. I have tried to rationalise it and obviously appreciate that you cannot win all the time and that I have no automatic entitlement to be better than others. None of this helps. I know that my mistakes are the reason for my losses, as in all cases, but I cannot see a good reason why I make them. Also, I cannot see how I might improve - make fewer mistakes? It's not that simple.
i think the major reason that amateurs make mistakes in chess is that they dont focus enough on not making basic errors.. the most important strategy in chess in my very humble opinion is to develop and coordinate your pieces.. there can never be too much emphasis placed upon this notion..develop and coordinate your pieces and always try to ensure that you dont have loose pieces..that is a good strategy.
Also keep trying to play a principled game and you will get better...follow the rules and you and anyone else will get better.
Kay, I don't entirely know how to say this but I am going to throw it out there. I figure talking about it might help... and on here seems to be the best place to look for people that might understand the dilemma.
Am I the only one that gets entirely discouraged with chess at times?
Here is the thing, i love the game, and while I might avoid those feelings by simply giving it up; I don't honestly foresee that happening... though i have threatened to do that at times. I have been told like i am a bit like the person who threatens to break up with their boyfreind/girlfreind and keeps coming back to them anyway.
Why do I even bring this up?
Truth is that I am not happy with my current rating on here at all and am not entirely certain how to go about improving it. What is more, it seems like my chess ability fluctuates in a VERY frustrating way... some days I seem to play rather well and everything clicks... otherdays, well... you get the picture. I am honestly not even certain what an accurate assesment of my playing strength would be. How can I avoid the slumps that seem to come for no apparent reason at all? How can I bring that number up?
One other question, how do others handle losses? I am sure I am not the only one that has ever had a game they just plain played poorly... but it seems like I am the only one that ever questions their worth as a chessplayer... their worthiness to even call themself that.
Just my musings and thoughts.
I sympathise with every word. I feel all too much like this frequently.