Help! Went from 1500 to maybe 600 Elo! Not kidding!!!!

Guys, help. I don't know what the heck happened to me.

I have been a casual chess player for years. I didn't play chess much but when I did, I played at 1500 against the computer programs. At 1500 I would often draw or sometimes win. So I guessed that was my level. Below 1500 I would win more often.

Anyway, after watching THAT NETFLIX SHOW I decided to get more serious and started reading books, doing tactics puzzles, etc.

I am OK doing the tactics, mate in 1, mate in 2, etc. Fork the queen, etc.

But recently I kept losing games to the computer!

I couldn't even beat 800 Elo recently!

Before, I just played according to principles, develop in the opening, control the center, things like that. Now, I suddenly start losing in the middle game.

Has this happened to anyone else?

I am thinking maybe I started reading about all kinds of things from the books and training apps and started to try to use them but this just totally screwed up my game. The weird thing is I don't know where I am screwing up, otherwise I wouldn't be asking you guys here.

Weird!!!

Big whoop...my rating on another site will wildly fluctuate between 1400-1800+  Its online chess.  Its something to do to pass the time since im not out rioting and looting.

I'm not playing on chess.com, it's various computer programs such as The King, Shredder, HIRACS, etc. and their Elo levels.

Hmm

Perhaps I didn't explain enough. I've been playing chess for years, since I was a kid. I just didn't play everyday. Anything below 1000 Elo I would beat easily. I generally played at 1500 Elo and left it at that. But recently decided I want to get to 2000 (after watching the "legendary" "Beth Harmon") and now I've suddenly fallen maybe even to 50 Elo or whatever LOL.

Perhaps when I am playing, I have become too conscious of everything and this has distracted me from the game. Well, at the moment, I have decided just to go back to basics (extremely boring to re-read things about developing in the opening and playing e4... etc) and pretend I know nothing about the principles, and see how things go with the training.

I highly doubt someone would go from 1500 to 800. Perhaps you over estimated your abilities in the past.

You haven't even played a game on this account yet, so it's hard to comment further on that.

I've nothing to prove and no reason to lie. It's what I said. I play at 1500 Elo with all the computer programs, for years, and now I keep losing even at 800. Anyway I will figure it out. Maybe a kind of information overload from trying to keep all the topics I read about in my head while playing now.

For the OP, this happens, maybe you should take a break from chess for about 5 to 6 days, then try again.

Ok thanks, maybe the first constructive reply I have here haha

But as you know, it's kind of hard. Maybe I won't play chess games and just do the reading for a week.

Dont even read, just forget what is chess for a week, then move on. Its simple and it helps a lot

Hmmmm... let's see...

I've mostly just played against computers all my life. It's hard to organize a game with a real person and when there is a business phone call or email, it is not polite to terminate the game like that. With the computer apps, you can just pause it and leave it for a while. That's really the main thing. As I said, I only played casually, so I have never been very concerned about actual competition. Just wanted to get to 2000 Elo after watching Queen's Gambit. That's all.

I kinda just wondered if what I am experiencing has been similar for others. Probably not common but wondering if at least one or two others experienced the same thing before.

A long time ago I played on the app called CHESS WITH FRIENDS but that was only for a brief time.

How do you know the program you are playing with is that strength?

I installed a free chess app on my tablet and won every game up until it called it GM level.

I'm pretty weak at the game.

Just because you didn't like my reply doesn't mean it isn't constructive.

I have no explanation for your recent problem, other than the possibility that Netflix has cast an evil, magic spell over you to get you to watch more Netflix...

(I like your chess engine choices - classics...)

I wouldn't take computers ratings as a reliable indicator of much. Computers are not people. They make random errors and shouldn't really be compared to an actual playerbase of the elo is claims to be at. 

Computer programs have higher ratings then they play at. I am 1200 and I can beat 1600 computers easily. I mean, they hang pieces! Playing people is better. So just play people and you will get better. Analyze your games and study endgames.