How do I get out of a chess slump

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BenCar1113

Just recently , I've been unable to win any games. I don't think my skill level has gone down , but my brain is just not focusing any more on anything on the chess board, I'm missing my opponents tactics , even when they are completely obvious and I'm miscalculating regularly. 

I was curious to know if anyone had any tips for pulling yourself out of a slump like this and whether I should do some lessons and some puzzles brushing up on my basic skills , or let my mind rest and come back to chess in the future. 

notmtwain
BenCar1113 wrote:

Just recently , I've been unable to win any games. I don't think my skill level has gone down , but my brain is just not focusing any more on anything on the chess board, I'm missing my opponents tactics , even when they are completely obvious and I'm miscalculating regularly. 

I was curious to know if anyone had any tips for pulling yourself out of a slump like this and whether I should do some lessons and some puzzles brushing up on my basic skills , or let my mind rest and come back to chess in the future. 

What slump?

oh, you must mean that tiny downturn in your recent rating...

BenCar1113
notmtwain wrote:
BenCar1113 wrote:

Just recently , I've been unable to win any games. I don't think my skill level has gone down , but my brain is just not focusing any more on anything on the chess board, I'm missing my opponents tactics , even when they are completely obvious and I'm miscalculating regularly. 

I was curious to know if anyone had any tips for pulling yourself out of a slump like this and whether I should do some lessons and some puzzles brushing up on my basic skills , or let my mind rest and come back to chess in the future. 

What slump?

oh, you must mean that tiny downturn in your recent rating...

I do mean my recent drop in rating as I've not won very much and am missing a lot , but not going to lie , just you going 'What Slump? ' has kinda improved my mood about it lol

Rancid-Knight

Taking a break sometimes helps. Then come back to the game another day with some caffeine.

MickinMD
notmtwain wrote:
BenCar1113 wrote:

Just recently , I've been unable to win any games. I don't think my skill level has gone down , but my brain is just not focusing any more on anything on the chess board, I'm missing my opponents tactics , even when they are completely obvious and I'm miscalculating regularly. 

I was curious to know if anyone had any tips for pulling yourself out of a slump like this and whether I should do some lessons and some puzzles brushing up on my basic skills , or let my mind rest and come back to chess in the future. 

What slump?

oh, you must mean that tiny downturn in your recent rating...

Puzzles!  I do them when in a slump or if I've been away from rated games for a while. If I don't solve one fast or fail then keep trying until I do, afterward I try to determine the tactical motif(s) used, check the comments, etc. to see what others say, then try to determine WHY it took so long to recognize that motif.  That helps me a lot.  So does reviewing lists of Tactical Motifs like https://chesstempo.com/tactical-motifs