Is it possible to get good at chess with ADD/ADHD?

Pretty basic question. I have severe ADD to the point it contributes to my disability, to like the point it makes it difficult to start and complete work in a timely manner. I study a lot of chess, do puzzles, study games, know my tactics, know mating patterns, know fundamentals, but I am absolutely dog shit at chess. I was rated in the 1300s, but as my disability got worse I fell to the 800s where I am currently.

The impetus for asking this question is I have a friend I play chess with in real life. He does not play chess with anyone but me. He has never studied chess, done a chess puzzle, read a chess book. He doesn't even understand all the rules of when you're allowed to castle....and yet I go about 60/40 with him often blowing massive material advantage as I lose my ability to concentrate and see the board.

I swear there must be some kind of dysfunction like dyslexia where I cannot see the chess board as it is. It's more than tunnel vision. I can say like, don't move the queen there, take your time, that square is under attack. I study my possible moves for two minutes then move the queen to the absolute worst spot. It's not even tricky attacks like a knight or distant bishop. I've literally let my queen get attacked by pawns because I cannot see the board for what it is and can't hold in my mind basic concepts like don't put your best piece there.

I've played and studied old soviet world championship games, I've pinned a queen to a king, I've won with dovetail mate, I know the difference between a fork, pin, and skewer, and it really seems like the more I play chess, the worse I get at it.

Does ADD/ADHD make it impossible to reach any kind of meaningful skill level in chess?

Certainly you have a very serious condition which affects many different parts of your life, including Chess. Statistically you are still in your skill range in the Chess world. Maybe when you started playing on here you were just more relaxed and not worried so much about moves as much as just playing a game. Maybe then you started studying and trying to apply new techniques, and that is very hard without losing quite a bit sometimes. You should strengthen your opening principles and be learning tactics at this point. ***** So maybe don't worry so much about your rating as much as just having fun with the game and playing with your friends. I think Chess is good for someone in your situation. Work with your counselors. There may be better ways for you to imagine the game. I'm just trying to think about things like VR, or maybe you might be good at blindfold Chess. Everyone has different ways in which they view the game in their mind. I know it's difficult. You are not alone. You can get better. Good luck to you in life and in your Chess games. Never give up, never surrender. The only way to be a loser in Chess is to not play at all.

Hey there! Great question. As someone who has ADD/ADHD, I can tell you that it's definitely possible to get good at chess. While it can be challenging to stay focused for long periods of time, there are ways to manage your attention and improve your skills.

First of all, finding a coach or mentor who can provide structure and guidance can be really helpful. They can help you stay on track and provide specific strategies for managing your attention.

Another technique that I've found to be really useful is visualization. Before each move, I try to visualize the potential outcomes of each possible move and select the best one. This helps me stay focused on the game and make better decisions.

I also practice mindfulness techniques to help improve my ability to stay present in the moment. This can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths before making a move or taking short breaks in between practice sessions.

Lastly, it's important to experiment with different study techniques to find what works best for you. For example, some people may find that reading chess books is more effective than watching instructional videos.

Overall, with dedication and a willingness to adapt, individuals with ADD/ADHD can certainly become skilled chess players. So don't let your diagnosis hold you back from pursuing your passion for chess!

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Hey yes

Hi. 
You might search for the previous forum on this topic. Lots of people gave tips about what helped them. As a retired psychologist who has worked with college students with ADHD, I may also have some tips. But they will depend on many things—age, severity, subtype, medication, etc. Fell free to send me a friend request and we can chat privately.

i have adhd and am very good at chess (at least for my age)

To the OP: watch the movie "Brooklyn Castle." It's available on Youtube. It's a great documentary about chess, and one of the many story lines follows a young man with attention-deficit problems as he struggles to improve at chess. I think you will find it interesting and inspiring

Formally diagnosed with ADHD as a young child.

I have a 1900 USCF rating and reached 2300 chess.com rapid rating a couple days ago.

I wasn't a natural at the game (lost all my games in my first tournament) but I was absolutely obsessed over the game to the point that I would think about chess whenever I got the opportunity to.

To this day, I still have major tunnel vision problems to the extent that I hang pieces much more than others at my rating level. But I believe chess actually helped improve my ADHD symptoms. I'm more patient, my attention doesn't drift as much, etc. compared to my kindergarten self.

The OP seems to be inactive, so if anyone else is reading this: keep at it and don't compare yourself to others. Almost all people hang pieces and simple mates early on.

Source?

Hi IronPlushy! I'm not an expert on ADD or ADHD but I did find out that for people with similar struggles as yours, it helps to do 3 things:

1. Play chess until you mentally start slipping away. Trying to play as much as possible is understandable for any chess player but if you feel like you can't handle a defeat anymore or you're feeling tired/can't focus anymore, take a break! A break helps any person get themselves together no matter if they have ADHD or not.

2. Don't play chess after eating. Eating worsens the adrenaline which makes it nearly impossible to focus. You might've already noticed that in the past.

3. Take breaks after each loss. It can be hard to play chess but it can be harder to play chess when you have trouble focusing. Taking frequent breaks after each loss helps you regain your "stamina" and also helps you emotionally. Remember, you make many mistakes because of your ADD/ADHD, not because you're bad.

Overall, this shouldn't be too complicated if you have a great passion for chess. Having a great passion for chess is probably your best treatment to fight back against attention deficit. Watching a funny chess video might be the solution sometimes.

If you have any questions or doubts about this advice, I refer to:https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/adhd-how-to-play-with-it. It's a great post from which I learned a lot about this problem.

You can totally get very good. I believe Fabiano Caruana was diagnosed with it as a kid, and he's currently #3 in the world so there you go.

If you want the best possible medical advice, there is no better source than some random bloke on the internet

Break your study time into shorter, manageable chunks (e.g., 15-20 minutes) with clear, specific goals for each session.

Here's an amazing new treatment that South Park recommends.

I also have ADHD and it's affecting my ability to play chess as it affects not only concentration, but also working memory. Working memory is incredibly important when calculating two or more moves ahead. However I find my game improving when I learn strategic principles, tactics, and how to calculate. If you apply these, then you'll rarely need to calculate too many moves ahead.

Also, I try to focus on playing good chess rather than winning. When you play good chess, the wins should come as a result and losing will matter less if you know you played well. I am stuck at around 700 elo, but I don't really care because every game in which I played well, makes the bad ones worthwhile.

That all being said, every case of ADHD is different and your coping mechanisms will be different than mine.

I also recommend that you see a doctor and get medicated. There is nothing wrong with needing a pill to cope with a condition.

It is possible, I have adhd and my dad is very good at the game and I finally defeated him, so it is possible.