I just close my eyes for a few seconds then take a deep breath. Works mostly.
How do you snap yourself out of playing badly?
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Mr-Mudd wrote:
I review my losses to see where I go wrong and try not to repeat mistakes. I know that sounds simple but that's what helps me. Many of my mistakes are simple fundamentals (like losing control of the center or missing opportunities to fork my opponent).
No, I agree with you. I know this is actually very effective, it's just I'm both lazy, and it makes me feel bad looking at games where I lost. Need to get over the ego too
ninjaswat wrote:
I just close my eyes for a few seconds then take a deep breath. Works mostly.
Thanks, sounds simple enough.
When it's no longer fun, it's time too be done. I think taking a break, or taking it a little less seriously, is good practical advice. I was playing too much, & got on a sloppy losing streak - mostly from being bored with it. Lately, I'm getting over the bordom of it by being not so much concerned with "ratings" & winning, etc. I have sacrificed pieces simply too make the pace faster, or the strategy more interesting, etc. This quirk in my style of play might change eventually, yet again I say, "When it's no longer fun, than it's time too be done." Peace...+
forkyougently wrote:
When it's no longer fun, it's time too be done. I think taking a break, or taking it a little less seriously, is good practical advice. I was playing too much, & got on a sloppy losing streak - mostly from being bored with it. Lately, I'm getting over the bordom of it by being not so much concerned with "ratings" & winning, etc. I have sacrificed pieces simply too make the pace faster, or the strategy more interesting, etc. This quirk in my style of play might change eventually, yet again I say, "When it's no longer fun, than it's time too be done." Peace...+
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I feel like I'm playing a little stale too, lately. Hope we can play again, you keep kicking my butt haha
YoungGirlNotReal wrote:
Why snap yourself out of playing badly instead of improving? Too much concern with what and why. That is a distraction in a real In-game Environment when you should be focusing on execution, performance and leveraging what you know.
The best and most tilt proof players in any games are the ones who are comfortable enough in their own skin to not do a play by play commentary or worry about feedback. If you do a lot of result based analysis, and interpret your accomplishments / failures or indicators of either / both too much that seems very exhausting and can not only lead to big dips in performance but also burnout.
For winners, it's less about snapping out or coming back and more about changing gears / growing up.
I get what you are saying, but this more on the psychological approach to the game. What to do when something is clouding your judgement and affecting your game.
For me, it's not about instant gratification or worrying about the results, it's more of learning from those better than me. How they approach certain problems they faced and learning by standing on the shoulder of giants.
I get your emphasis on skillset which I also think is important. But I also believe that like all things, a good skillset must be complemented by a good mindset. There are moments where even the best players (on a GM level) blunder a completely winning position or miss a one move tactic which isn't because they lack practice but because their mind slipped. Like a good skillset, it also takes work to build a good mindset; a cerebral approach in sharp positions, and an open-mind when the position changes in character.
As such, I made this post to ask people their tricks and tips on how to get back to the moment when they know they're not playing upto par to their usual play.
Sep 13, 2021
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#28
Another thing I use is just focused anger. If I lose/tilt (yes I'm tilted rn) then I will simply vow to crush my next opponents' spirits through the chessboard. It helps a bit. 
Sep 13, 2021
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#29
This is a great thread. There's some really thoughtful input in here. Right now I relate most to Chrismoonster (great line). Not sure I have much to offer. One thing I can say, for myself, is pretty often I tend to react to threats I think are there, but aren't actual threats. I miss some pretty strong moves that way, and play some pretty bad ones. It's changing how I deal with fear that will help me a lot I think.
ninjaswat wrote:
Another thing I use is just focused anger. If I lose/tilt (yes I'm tilted rn) then I will simply vow to crush my next opponents' spirits through the chessboard. It helps a bit.
Haha unfortunately, I suck at focusing when I'm angry.
blitz2009 wrote:
I can fully relate to this some days I feel like I’m playing like a GM and then some days I feel like I am plying like a 1200 it’s kind of annoying
Woah since you are over 2000, what would be the one tip you can give a 1400 to improve?
jr12211 wrote:
This is a great thread. There's some really thoughtful input in here. Right now I relate most to Chrismoonster (great line). Not sure I have much to offer. One thing I can say, for myself, is pretty often I tend to react to threats I think are there, but aren't actual threats. I miss some pretty strong moves that way, and play some pretty bad ones. It's changing how I deal with fear that will help me a lot I think.
I can relate too, especially OTB where my vision isn't used to as it is in 2D. Plenty of times, I become reactive instead of going ahead with my plan.
Take a break from chess and don't think about it for a while. How long? That's probably different for everybody. When u return ur probably gonna be more motivated.
Sep 15, 2021
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#35
I would not recommend my way, I usually curse at myself and get really mad. I then somehow play better.
I wish I knew, if I ever stop playing badly I'll let you know.