How to avoid tilt?

Hello,

I am currently rated around 1600 USCF. A few days ago, I started playing blitz seriously (I would often play games before while I was unfocused) and my chess.com blitz rating has gone from about 1390 to about 1650. I have never been this high before, but in the past year, my blitz rating has fluctuated between 1200 and 1600. I would get up as high as 1500 or so, and then I would go on tilt, and drop to at least 1400 (it has gotten bad enough that I have lost over 300 rating points on tilt before). Now I am at an all-time high of 1650 (and might even be underrated because I am winning most of my games) how do I avoid going on massive tilt in the future and dropping into, say, the 1400's again?

Thanks,

Ben

The strategy is to play 1-4 games, and then stop. If you start losing consecutively, dont continue. 

I tilt occasionally playing blitz and I usually lose about 200 points when I'm like this. I have seen a clear trend and I think I am beginning to understand why and how to avoid it. The tilt in my case usually comes with two things:

1. I don't really want to play but I play just the same because it's addictive.

2. Underestimate my rival and think that just because my rating is higher I should automatically win.  

So I have worked on both and my rating is going back up. First of all, I don't play blitz unless I'm 100% sure I want to play and do my best in every game. The second is that I no longer underestimate my rivals. I look at what my opponent says on the board and not on his rating. The third is very crucial: if I lose a game I stop, take a deep breath and see where I was wrong. I learn from that and I wonder ... Will this defeat lower my spirits? Am I to play another game or do I cut the session? Sometimes it is best to play few games. No more than 5 in one session. It is better that to start playing many and lose several. That invariably leads to a negative streak. In short: Always try to play at your maximum or don't play. Respect your rival, and if you lose enjoy chess just the same; Check where you failed and learn from your rival. Even if he is an idiot who bothers you in the chat, if he beat you it is because there is something you must learn and so you come back with more force in the next one. I hope it helps you, regards.

Okay, thanks guys! So the strategy is to take a break from playing after losing a few in a row. I have another question- if it is good to stop playing when you are on a losing streak, is it likewise good to keep playing when you are on a winning streak? 

If you're on a winning streak I think it's wise to stop at some point. Or set yourself a limit. For example a limit of 1 or 2 losses. If they arrive then you retire no matter what happens.

Say you've won 3 games in a row against higher rated players. I wouldn't  keep playing until i lose, because then, after you lose, ur gonna wanna play more. Just stop after several games, and take a break

Vielen Dank für diese ausführlichen Mitteilungen.

joe walsh (guitarist for the james gang and eagles) once explained improvement and how it pertains to a band just starting to do live gigs

the improvement is not that your “best” performances just keep getting better and better but that your “worst” gets closer and closer to your “best”

in other words, consistency and improving one’s weakest links/parts is how one gets better at something

i think this really applies to almost any endeavor

so- like all of us- it is important to really dig and find what are the specifics of what happens when “tilt” happens; personally, my mindset is horrible and overall attitude is atrocious- i rush moves and cant think straight; so until i can prevent this thinking or only play when conditions are optimal (not realistic) it is practically best to stop playing when you catch the “tilt virus”

take the session off and come back and look at your “tilt” games and see what is there

A guaranteed way to avoid tilt is to play only unrated games! That way, it is impossible for you to lose any meaning of life (rating). 

Lol, I am trying to improve my blitz rating so I will still mostly play rated games. But maybe I should switch to unrated when I am on tilt

Play incrementally.

the big problem w/ the 1400's ?...is that its filled w/ 1600+ players who are going thru the same thing ur going thru now. whats this mean ?...it means that the 1400-Level is dangerous & esp tuff & very frustrating. avoid like fatty foods.

No, you're misunderstanding. I am still in the 1600's, near my peak. I am trying to avoid the 1400 level.

@llama44 lol, that definately works

and as far as going on tilt ?...its ok to feel like a pinball machine. getting bounced around & played on & all. and #13's right. stop putting endless tokens in.

ohh !!...heres a good one by the tokens. kinda fitting really. hope this relaxes  .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvsQ9hYKq7c

No, you're misunderstanding. I am still in the 1600's, near my peak. I am trying to avoid the 1400 level.

...ohh. (blink-blink)

As a former tilt addict, the main problem is your mentality. I kept losing because I assumed that I was going to crush people several 100 rating point's below me, once I stopped thinking about how I was failing to crush them, I started crushing them.

i should introduce u to my friend cookie. she gets mad & goes off over at the casino. then poof shes broke. roulette.

As mentioned by some here, I think it is about the mentality. From my experiences, it's quite a big impact. Also, I mainly play 1-2 rapid games at a time and analyze closely. It builds patience and the rapid time format allows you to make better, thought-out moves with more time.

Lean your mentality towards improving yourself and your chess, and not so much on trying to crush your opponents or losing rating points. If you need it, take breaks. Chess is something we all enjoy and it should stay as an enjoyable hobby.