Theory Overload?

I have recently been working hard to get better at chess due to having time off heavy work for a period. I study chess books daily, do tactics puzzles daily, play slow games over the board, and even have lessons from a high rated titled friend. 

In the month (give or take) since I have started all this activity, I feel I'm actually aware of many things I was not aware of before, I'm even experimenting with some of the ideas I am not so well experienced with. However, I feel my actual performance has gone down. I look back at games and see sloppy blunders and daft decisions.

I don't like this feeling at all, as I take my improvement in chess very seriously. Do you think I have information overload?--I'm spending a good 4 hours a day on chess activities/studying. Is it normal to lose some performance when you are learning?

I have learned in a ‘hardcore’ fashion before in my life and I did not have this problem.

Can any other members relate or have wisdom to share?

-Elona-

Well, thanks for sharing anyway.

Its a story for a dinner party.

Maybe this is a case of missing the forest for the trees (thanks for introducing that phrase to me Mr. Rensch)- in learning all these new theoretical aspects, you are trying too hard to look at things such as space, pawn structure etc. while relaxing your focus on the actual situation- e.g. your opponents threats. This means you end up blundering material away more often.

The only solution is to slow down your increase in knowledge. Gradually introduce the concepts one by one, and learn when to apply them, and try to keep up the general blunder checking etc. as you go!

Yeah, I've experienced this.

You say you've learned in a hardcore fashion before... but chess skill is not sitting down with a book to learn things.  It's a case of theory vs practice.  That you're aware of new things is a sign you're about to improve, it's just you need more practice using these ideas effectively during your games.

It does happen, so don't freak out!  :-)  Take a break, and relax, and give it time to mellow in your mind. 

I posted in another thread on a related topic a few minutes back! The OP might find it worth tracking responses in that one.

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/finding-the-elephant

Thanks for the link Shivsky. I will track that.

Nice to know I dont need to freak out, I will probably have a rest from the hardcore training.

     ELONA;                                                             Funny, i'm into how old age w/ medical issues effect my game...".good chess on some days and not so good on ther days". Nearing seventy, and having real med. issues the facts do not alter reality.    In your situation u probably believe hard work immedieatly shows up in the win column.... maybe baseball, darts or games where training begets results. Chess requires so many differcult aspects too over-come for good results that it may take a long time, and don't forget your opponents also are attempting too get better.......IMPORTANT TOO GO EASY ON_SELF- we are all hampered by limitations.Passion for the game ,entertainment,and just fun are also part of it.          G.L.    G. CHESS                 eddysallin

I deffinatly think one of my issues is being to hard on myself. Especaly with chess.

Elona, use your criticism in a positive way.  Instead of beating yourself up, take that time to work towards your goal in a positive light. 

When you're making these questionable moves, are they a result of the new theory that you're trying to apply? If so, does your analysis match up with your "gut-feel" for your best move?

Don't beat yourself up so much - ups and downs are a part of life. You don't want to lose your passion for the game.

Elona, before the arrow can fly forward it must be drawn back.  Setbacks and blunders are part of the learning process.  The vast majority of us are not going to be great chess players (like those who start young and dedicate their life to the game) so keep it fun.  If you end up too frustated you'll stop playing and then your game will really go to hell.  Enjoy!

@ Birdbrain - This is something I am slowly working to achieve.

@Mezmer - I think from my rigourus training as a child in chess, I have always taken my development too seriously. I think the problem is indeed my attempt to use new theory for the sake of it and loosing my instinct from so much training that has made me the player I am.

@csharpe - As an Archer, I am very fond of your analogy. But as one of those chess players who have played since the womb, I strive to be the best I can.

Thanks for the comments. I guess I should try to be more easy on myself. But its difficult for me I guess. 

Elona, I used to be like you - I stressed seriously over every blunder, even antagonizing myself, calling myself stupid, etc.  I was making the fun game of chess a time of anxiety.  Chess is a game, and it is good to improve, but every time you feel like berating yourself for making a mistake, instead take the opportunity to look at it as a new lesson - turn your lemons into lemonade.  This way, even if you lose, you can walk away with a positive attitude, knowing there is a lesson to be learned. 

 "beating yourself up"? That's what I do all the time :D

There's another saying that goes well with this situation: "Ignorance is bliss". Conclusion, don't try to get too much advice because it will make your life unsufferable (seeing all these mistakes you're making all the time). I'd suggest to Elona to start "forgetting" some theory and focus on chess practice. Learn through experience.

 This guy had anxiety issues: Why not hit the cow in a non-vital point? Common sense people!

I think what I may have to do is have a break from chess before it makes me too mad. I am expecting certain results from myself and am angry even after analysing a game I actualy win.

Stepping away from being too serious is the only way I can see myself enjoying the great game in the future. 

-Elona-

My chess development has gone in distinct cycles. The first time I was in a slump, it bugged me, but now, the third of fourth time it's happened, it doesn't bother me at all. I learn something new, and a whole new way of looking at the board opens up, and I feel like I understand chess at a new level. My results shoot up a bit because of this new thing I've found. And then the drop below where they were before I learned it. I can't calculate any solid variations, I can't find good moves, I can't find good plans, and it doesn't matter whether I use this new piece of information or not. My chess is just bad. After a month or two of slogging through it, I start to see things again, and that new thing is now as normal to look at as the things I had learned before it were. 

It takes time to assimilate new information, and it takes time to adjust to looking at different things on the board, weighing different factors against one another.

I used to call myself stupid for blunders as well, but consider a few things.

1. Chess is a draw, played perfectly. This means that every game that has a decisive result is a result of the loser making more/more serious mistakes than his opponent. Even at the grandmaster level. You will make mistakes and lose; everyone does.

2. Even world champions blunder. And I don't mean that they blunder some tiny positional nuance, though they do that too. I mean they blunder pieces, just like the rest of us. Here's a game by Tigran Petrosian, called Iron Tigran, because he just almost never gave up wins. He emphasized safety over everything else. He also hung his queen, just like we do occasionally. Don't beat yourself up for it. It happens to everyone.

Try very hard to only read level-appopriate material. It's easy to read an advanced instructional book and feel like it all makes sense, and then you'll experience exactly what the OP described when trying to use it on the board.

Elona, don't walk away forever - just long enough to tell yourself it is only a game :-)