1)Take a break from chess
2)Try playing slower games (15/10 minimum time)
3)Take your time with every move
4)Try to predict your opponent's response to specific move(s)
5)Figure out what your opponent is trying to accompolish with each move
6)Know when a move will leave certain piece(s) undefended
6.5)Analyze your game(s) for mistakes and blunders
7. Ignore points 1-6.
8. Play worse opponents.
Ignore point 8.
Playing worser opponents does not help you improve your chess.
Instead play better opponents so you can learn from them.
What does that have to do with the question he asked?
Hi Vae_victis1979, yup it's happened to me too. First question, are you getting enough sleep? Next, what about getting fresh air and exercise and watching your diet to be sure you're getting the nutrition you need? The brain uses up a lot of energy.
I agree with chessbeginner77, also, take a short break from chess. Go see some other art form, read a novel, go to a movie, whatever. Shift perspectives.
When you do go back to your board, don't go into a new game until you've played over your last dozen or so losses. Look for opportunities on both sides that were seized or missed. Make notes!
Put the notes together and see what pattern emerges.
One other suggestion. Go to www.ideachess.com and sign up, it's free. Play Tactics ELO for a while and then look at your statistics for the tactical problems you've played. There you will see "yes" or "no" beside each problem you've tried, along with the types of motif each problem involves. In all likelihood you will see that there are certain motifs that you regularly solve, and some you regularly fail to solve. Replay all the ones you failed to solve.
Tactics training is probably the most important until you reach 1800+ because all opening blunders, middlegame swindles, and endgame results are hinged on tactical skill. When you practice tactics you will make far, far fewer blunders than when you just play game after game after game, all "at about the same level".
Whenever you're stuck, there's a reason. Change what you're doing and your result will change.
And remember what a chess coach once said, "We're all going through the same thing!"
Good luck in your games. I am sure you will improve. Relax and don't play the first good move you see. The better moves will present themselves on the board if you give them time. In this I also agree with chessbeginner77, "try playing slower games".
All the best.
@Scottrf: Playing worser players than yourself(topic starter) will help you win more games, but you will not learn why you loss to better opponents.
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