how to improve your concentration?

Right. I get ya. I do this when I am programming and am sorting out a complex issue. The only difference is there is no clock ticking.

One day I hope to play in some tournaments. This is something good to know and remember.

Next weekend I'll be playing in a 40/110 tournament, so I'll be walking around for at least 10-15 minutes if I need to.

I don't think walking around could hurt.  But, then again it might.  I find I do my best thinking on my opponents time.  To increase ones ability to focus I think the best strategy is to practice focusing(shocking I know).  So study the game for long periods(parts of the game which stretch you a bit) and your focus WILL improve

It is the BRAIN and its glial cells...make sure you eat all the right foods and avoid all sorts of chemical assaults on your brain cells - drugs (pharma or narcotic), sodas, alcohol, unpure water...

My own brain's been damaged by all those things above...I know it.

While I don't know if I would go as far as a soda caffeine has been scientifically proven to increase focus/concentration.  Nothing wrong with that chemical.  I was even thinking about suggesting it

In the short run caffeine helps...but in the long run...it wears and tears your neurons, neuroglia...am no scientist...just speaking from personal experience...am a caffeine addict - trust me. In the long run, not good...

am thinking of that thing kids prank on each other - erasing the skin...you don't feel anything at first...not until your skin's been literally erased off

"Erasing the skin"...?

can't get that wide-eyed awake feeling that I use to get before I started caffeinating myself...

Caffeine is needed to jolt me "awake" now...but it does nothing for my concentration...my awake"ness" is radio-static"ky" like...

Alcohol will ruin your life.

You never saw a kid pranking another with that?

I have no clue what that is, never even heard of it...

Huh...maybe it was just a thing going on in my school then.

   Increase your physical fitness and you will have more concentration over the board.  Endurance exercise helps the most e.g. running, swimming, rowing/kayaking, roller skating/blading, etc.  Eat a healthy, balanced diet.  Sugars and junk food should be eliminated.  They supply quick energy high, then energy crash afterwards; same thing goes for caffeine.  Avoid all drugs and alcohol.  They weaken your mind and body.

Well I just googled it and that sounds horrible...thanks for nightmare material.

haha. But seriously that sucks.

Kids do the dumbist things...yup...and as they grow up they do even dumber things lol

Yes, a healthy balanced diet is obvious as well as exercise.  

But, actually caffeine is a pretty well known ergogenic aid and has been proven to improve endurance.  They are indicated to improve concentration for 1 to 3 hours as well.  We are talking caffeine and not an energy drink.   

educate yourself with peer reviewed journals and not internet jargon 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3878772/

Just as with anything else.  Use it cautiously.  ANything in excess is bad for you(thats why they call it excess). I worked graves and was hooked on the energy drinks for a while.  Then I bought some caffeine pills and they worked pretty well(although I think I just liked the ritual of the energy drink).  Another benefit is they are much cheaper.  I got about 200 200 mg pills for about 6 bucks and they wound up lasting me about a year or 2 because I didn't always need them.

I must say if you are going to go the caffeine route try it in a casual match first b4 you try it in something that actually matters.  Pay close attention to how you feel.  I got massive jitters the first time I took a pill.  SOme people are more sensitive than others.

You were not alone! Taimanov: "During training games Botvinik suggested that I use a sand-glass in addition to the regular chess clock and let at least a minute pass before making a move. As an additional safeguard he suggested that I sit on my heands in order to prevent their impulsive movements!"

To improve my concentration I would have to live in a separate home with NO  husband, NO  kids, NO dog, and lets add NO  phone!

Caffiene pills are nasty for you.  You might as well start doing speed if you're going to ingest powder.  Coffee is probably the best source for caffiene out there.  All natural :)

i didn't only suggest that i would go walk around. is was just a option to consider. i could also visit a bar and go talk wiht random poeple. maby i'll go to a park and climm a tree. who know's?