Should we take into account our fitness levels before starting a game of chess?

If we are feeling positive and physically at our best, could this explain a winnin streak.  On the other hand a losing streak may indicate poor morale, feeling off colour and even fatique or at worst depression.  It can be hard to have insight into how we are actually feeling, but a bad day can often reflect our ability to see problems and  so we make mistakes.

I agree.

I'm so fit that my streaking is a pleasure to watch (or so I'm told)

On an off day we may want to play chess so much that we start, or continue on with a game regardless of how we are feeling.  This is a recipe for a lost game.  I can't offer a solution for this problem because we are guided by our desire to play chess, and disregard how compromised we are by our physical or mental condition.  One option is to play at a time of the day when we are feeling more on top of things and people funcion better at different times of the day.  That's something to think about.  I play better late at night, you may play at your best early in the morning.  We have to try to be more in tune with our own bodies and mental state, and most important play only when we are not surrounded by distractions or another factor that could throw our concentration right out of the window and we start to feel irritated and lose fucus.

In that case kaynight you are extremely fortunate, and I am sure you are in the minority as most peoples ability to perform in any area is very much governed by their mental state and physical condition.

I think I play best when I'm not sleepy. Sometimes I rush to make a bad move without thinking properly. This usually happens during fatigue or tiredness, or maybe distractions.

When I had severe depression, it seemed to me the only thing I could concentrate on was chess.

I can relate to that, it's something you obviously enjoy and it would I am sure be very helpful in getting you through the episode of depression.  It's good to read that you have found a way of getting solace during a difficult time.

Chess is quite an exhausting activity when played competitively. It may look like you're sitting at a table doing nothig, but to maintain concentration and thought effectivity you'd need a good physical contition - including good blood circulation, breathing, good visual perception, etc. - which can all be improved by being in a good physical form. It also affects your psychical condition - ex. being able to withstand pressure, tiredness, etc.

This might sound odd but I have found that playing chess to defuse anger can be very beneficial to my game, has anyone else found this.  I am sure we think more clearly when angry, our wits are sharper and I am sure our blood  pressure would rise accordingly.  An aggressive approach to the game is very helpful, even swearing at the computer and directing hostility towards them can make a huge difference in  performance.  When playing it helps greatly not to like the other player, it increases adrenaline to feel angry which has amazing affects on our ability to think clearly and with purpose.  This applies only during combat not in actuallity, I am not suggesting we go around hating the other player outside of the game, in fact we may even have a very nice friendship with them.  It's just important to hate them while your playing the game.

Thanks for your comment kaynight, I trust you are having a pleasant evening.

Yes I think that would be a common problem.

I have never known anyone who was smarter when angry.

Absolutely.

Being angry is a very dynamic state of mind, passive and calm won't win the game, anger increases energy, motivation and is a driving force to succeed.  It is usually viewed as a negative emotion but it can be employed to our advantage.  Ever heard the saying "don't get sad, get mad!" meaning if you are in a tight corner fight back, don't just give up and hit the resign button.

I once played with a patched gang member, a huge Maori bloke.  He used to crouch over the board and breath heavily - combat chess.  I used to lose quite badly.  Later he told me he got good at chess because he used to play his father for money. It helped, he told me, that he hated his father.

Mike that is so interesting!  So a bit of aggression goes a long way then into frightening your opponent into resigning or making fatal blunders :)

Only joking of course, but it's an interesting thought.  Not being an aggressive person myself.

Buddha was Fat, and he could have beat Bobby Fisher easily.