When are you in the mood to play your best?

I notice sometimes after getting a good nights sleep, if I play chess I will actually play worse because I'm full of energy and want to go do something besides stare at a screen.

And sometimes if I'm a little bit tired I'll play very well because I'm in a sluggish mood and don't rush anything.

When I have nothing else on my mind, and nothing else I need to get done.

Which means, rarely.

In an OTB tournament. You're really not thinking about anything other than chess whereas if you're playing online you can have 10+ unrelated tabs open

In the evening you dont have to think on other things. For me it works better...

Strangely enough ......After my football team wins

The big joke of course is : " when my wife is not at home ", but, before answering the question, I want to repeat what I said in another forum, the opponent makes the level as well, I play better against higher rated opponents, some beginners cost me a lot of time ; moreover, living in Holland clearly makes a difference : in the morning more players from e.g. India and in the afternoon more from e.g. the States, both regio's differ six hours plus and minus.

I don't make notes on who is better, east or west !

Being retired, I'm always in that good mood to play, just in between shopping, cleaning the garden, going by bike and a lot more...

With this is my hands:

Exactly! That's my strategy.

lol