First I decide whether the tournament entry fee and the chess are more important, or the something totally unrelated is more import. If the unrelated matter is more important I decide to forfeit the entry fee.
If it isn't then I rationalize the unrelated issue by asking myself if 100 years from this issue will still be important.
Then I pull my secret super analytical calculation weapon:
Think of this list as an analysis tool. Analyzing is taking a big complicated problem, like finding the right move(s) in a chess position, and breaking the big problem into smaller simpler problems. Think of the things on this list as those smaller simpler problems that have to be solved in order to solve the big problem of finding the right move(s) in a chess position,
Think of this List as a set of pegs in the calculation tree. The pegs in the list will be great climbing aids in climbing much higher in the calculation tree than you ever could before. This list is your calculation big tree tool.
Here is the list I have kept since I started playing chess:
Things to do before I make a move
1. Am I sitting on my hands now that I am seated at the chess board table?
2. Is my written list in my possession?
3. What is my opponent threatening to do and what is my best move to stop his threat and Kill as much of his counterplay as possible ( you will have to learn what killing counterplay is, and how to execute it on the chess board.)
4. What is the pawn structure on the board and what are the pawn break points?
a. Remember pawn moves are permanent because they cannot move backwards.
b. Are there any pawn majorities on either side of the board?
c. Are there any open or half-open files on the board? Who is in control of that file?
d. Are there any pawn weaknesses on the board? You will have to learn about (doubled pawns,
isolated pawns, backward pawns, etc.) and how to exploit those weakenesses
e. Is the center blocked. Flank attacks succeed more often when the center is blocked
5. Are there any of mine or enemy undefended Pieces and/or Pawns?
a. Beware of pieces and or pawns that are defended indirectly. ( beware of tactics here!)
b. Beware of pieces and or pawns that are defended backwards. (yes enemy pieces can defend their own backwards because pieces can move forwards or backwards. Pawns can only move forward or diagonally forward when capturing.
6. Are there any weak square complexes in the position? Learn what these are and how to exploit.
7. Have I checked all of these items above 2x before I make a move,
How do you guys force yourself to re-focus when having one of those days where something totally unrelated to chess from some random event in your life is constantly taking your mind off the game during a game at unpredictable intervals and you're stuck in a broken record loop in an agitated and distracted state of mind? I'm talking literally shaking with rage and anxiety and cursing under your breath the whole game unable to stop obsessing about it. It's amazing how long it takes before quality of play returns to normal between random spikes of rage. Have any of you ever played a tournament on a day like that and if so, what do you do to keep focused on chess?