I wrote down a thinking steps outline and memorized it. One of the steps is to walk away from the table and walk around. When you come back you should come back with a fresh perspective of the position. Even if you don't and you walk around thinking about the position, you still got a fresh perspective because you were not looking at the real pieces on the board that interferes with the furture positions you are imagining in your mind.
how to avoid seeing "ghosts"
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Nov 10, 2011
0
#3
thanks I will try this the next otb game tuesday. I am up against the second highest rated in a tournament. He is rated 1878.
hmmmmmmm interesting
just keep studying more and train some more tactics, some day you will see only opportunities instead of threads and that will be the start of the time when you kick everyones ....
just play your best possible move one at a time, and forget long calculations
Being able to see your opponents plans and tactics, is a critical skill to have. As has been noted in previous posts. It should not scare you. Thats how you can make plans to counter attack, or some other long term, and even short term plans yourself.
Perhaps you get to the point where you really don't know which move to play, I always tried to pick the one that was less complicated for me. Even if it wasn't necessarily the best move, very few times did I opt to use a more complicated move to intentionally complicate matters.
Always make sure your position is as secure as possible, that is not seeing ghosts, that is intelligent playing. You have to trust yourself, because you are the only one you can rely on at that board. Sometimes you will second guess yourself, and yes it could cost you the game, but you will gain experience from it, and hopefully learn from it. The biggest issue I think people have is, when they make one mistake, they get so distracted by it, then they make another one, thats usually even worse, and eventually lose the game. So if you do make an error, take some deep breathes and take your time instead of instantly playing a move.
I never left the board, unless I had to use the restroom, or it was an emergency. ( which I do not remember a single case I ever left it ). I guess anyone can suffer from undue stress however. Close your eyes, and take 3 to 4 deep breathes. If this does not help clear your mind, then try leaving the board, and getting some fresh air.
I liked thinking while my opponent was deciding on his move. So I was using his time as well. I hope this was helpful, and good luck.
Crimson knight a very good post!!!!
man i always also get so distracted by blunders.
Aug 9, 2013
0
#9
Daniel Rensch made a great video on the subject. I guess the reason I see ghost is because I do not calculate deep enough.
http://www.chess.com/video/player/member-analysis-something-bad-will-happen
I have done a lot of tactics trainer exercises and I am able to see many Tactics within 10 seconds.
lately my problem in OTB games is that I start to see ghosts( my opponent non existent tactics possibilities) even in the start of the game. So I start to make defensive moves instead of developing my own pieces.
any tips to avoid seeing ghosts. I try to predict my opponents possibilities and somehow I feel my opponent has some shots. - the problem gets worse the longer I think; since I think I need to prevent a plan that isn't there.