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Getting over nerves when starting a chess game
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Jun 19, 2021
0
#23
A good tip for nerves and also getting you to not rush your moves is to literally sit on your hands. The action of moving your hands from under yourself will act as a reminder to slow down, check for blunders, anticipate opponent plans and so on.
This tip works more for over the board events, but even works well for online (so long as it isn't bullet or blitz).
DonRajesh wrote:
1sazu wrote:
I spend most of my chess in the 15min time range games, yet I'm struggling a lot with nerves and that affects my chess greatly, resulting in the most stupid blunders. What are some tips/mindsets that can help me calm myself better during a game?
Just play rated chess a lot, and the stress will decrease. I had this issue, but playing a lot of rated games made is way less stressful.
yeah just trash your rating and you'll be relieved of the stress cuz you know it can't get any worse 
Jun 19, 2021
0
#25
MSteen wrote:
Simply playing more games is very helpful. If you play one game per week, you tend to feel that everything is riding on THIS GAME! If you play five games a day (or more), well, this is just one more game. The biggest thing to remember is that you are not the game. It has nothing to do with your worth as a person, with your standing in society, with your ability to do your job, be a good friend, tell a good joke, cook a good meal, do pushups, or recite poetry. It's just a chess game. Karpov said that the best way to improve was to go to a local chess club (online now) and lose several thousand games. Still good advice.
Well said. I wish I could give a "like" to this post. 
I used to physically shake at the board while playing against stronger opponents or in tournaments where I felt I had a chance to do well. I still do sometimes in high-pressure moments. For me it boils down to expectations and what I'm asking of myself. Breathing properly can help a bit, but it only fights the symptoms. You should ask yourself why you're so nervous to play. Is it because you'll feel bad if you lose? Well, even Carlsen loses sometimes, so maybe that's not the worst thing in the world. Is it because you really want to get to a certain rating? Well, what's so important about getting that rating? Does it really have to happen right now or can we also relax, take our time and be confident that it'll come naturally when we have improved? Asking these questions and being honest and realistic to yourself can help you overcome this nervousness.
For me, I noticed the last 2 years of OTB chess that I was really trying hard to get to 2300 FIDE, because I really wanted to get an international title. Then I realized it made me nervous and going to a chess match was no longer fun and I was dreading it the whole week. Especially once I started getting very close. In the end, I asked myself why I wanted this so badly. I couldn't really give myself an answer. I ended up getting the CM-title (which is looked down upon sometimes, which was a reason for not getting it sooner) and am happier playing chess now than I was for a while. And if that FM title ever happens, great, if not, well, no problem. It's all about fun, not elo or the result.
Simply playing more games is very helpful. If you play one game per week, you tend to feel that everything is riding on THIS GAME! If you play five games a day (or more), well, this is just one more game. The biggest thing to remember is that you are not the game. It has nothing to do with your worth as a person, with your standing in society, with your ability to do your job, be a good friend, tell a good joke, cook a good meal, do pushups, or recite poetry. It's just a chess game. Karpov said that the best way to improve was to go to a local chess club (online now) and lose several thousand games. Still good advice.