Increasing mental stamina?

Hello, I have a problem.  See, in every game I have ever played OTB at a chess club (with 2 exceptions, I'm serious, 2 exceptions) I've gotten an advantage in the first half of the game.  I've done this against everybody including national masters.  But near the latter half of the game, I tend to get mentally exhausted, and try as I might I just can't analyze and calculate as well, and blunder away my advantage in fantastic style.  Does anybody have any advice to increase my mental stamina?

One suggestion I've heard - exercise!

Hi,

Maybe you could give an example game or two. The reason I mention this is there is that there is the possibility that you think you're winning in these positions but you're not. So it could be a problem of faulty analysis rather than getting tired later. If it really is that you're a piece up and then you blunder away pieces then that's different I guess. But I wonder if you have considered the possibility that the opponent might really have the better position and then - because of this - your position becomes hard to play later.

Its really not the fault of that, its not that I don't know how my position falls apart, but I tend to fixate on a move, or hang pieces and my ability really isn't that low.  Heres another example from a game I made a huge blunder in:

http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=9250558

If you look at move 11, move 10 was not a blunder.  I had a countertactic available, Bg5! which actually led to a greater advantage for me.  I was just so exhausted I forgot about my plan and blundered with Qxd4?? and black equalized.  I managed to pull off an impressive tactical win after a rest, but thats besides the point.

no help so far... and I need some advice so:

bump!

Really, the only way to increase mental stamina is to increase your physical health.

Bring a few bottles of Gatorade (hydration and glucose) to OTB--just keep the chess set clean. Gatorade REALLY helps me if I ever play more than one game (online and OTB).

Coffee

is detrimental to your health when you use it like that--a bunch of sugar is enough.

You ask for the answer to cure your mental tiredness. .... Brain exercise .... That is the only way you can do this. You are already making your brain more alert by playing chess. You should stimulate your brain by doing some different thought provoking exercise as you can ... like Suduko.  The more you do a variety of things to stimulate your brain, the longer you will be able to stay alert. The answer to combat your mental tiredness in the middle of your game is simple. .... Rest ... When you become confused your brain is telling you it wants to take a break from that one particular thing you are doing. You said that during the first half of your games  you are alert and can play well. So when you get half way through and start to feel tired take a break from that game for as long as possible. Then when you come back you will be as mentally alert and feel as fresh as you were when you first started the game. Therefore you will be able to think more clearly, and quite possible win instead of losing.

You also need physical exercise. Can you think of a single very sedentary GM?

What quantum of ELO points can one possible get from being phyiscally fit as opposed to living a sedentary life?

Hi - I can relate with the dilemma you outlined of losing won games. Some ideas to ponder that you might want to try:

1. In the latter stage of the game, try to stay mindful when you are starting to feel mentally exhausted. When you notice the fatigue first start to come on, if possible, splash some cold water on your face, go for a quick brisk walk, or walk up and down some stairs (something aerobic will raise your heart rate level and get your blood moving)

2. Instead of coffee (which I personally think can overstimulate your adrenals) try bringing some tea to the tournament. Even something like black tea usually has a third or less of the typical caffeine level found in coffee.

3. Pay close attention to your overall state of mind throughout the game. For example, when you find yourself up in material or in a great position, are you feeling anxious or perhaps too relaxed? Part of the problem may be needing to learn how to deal with and overcome the mental burden of winning a won position. Maybe you've already examined this within yourself, but for me a lot of OTB play is about continually remaining positive even in difficult positions, and remembering to breathe fully and let go of gripping emotions.

4. Another factor to consider as someone suggested earlier - carefully examine your games to see if you are perhaps playing too passively or too aggressively once you are up with material or positional advantages and winning the game. 

5. I've heard this through the chess grapevine that when you play chess with a sleep deficit, your elo usually drops 300 points or lower depending on how sleep deprived you are. Try to always be up on your sleep when you go to tournaments, and if possible take a nap earlier in the day prior to the match.

I'm sure you'll figure out what's blocking you if you just stay with it. Good luck.

"Part of the problem may be needing to learn how to deal with and overcome the mental burden of winning a won position."

Thats my specialty.  Getting up a rook/minor piece exchange, simplifying off every piece on the board, and still losing.  Thanks cratercat, it forever fustrates me that my OTB rating is lower then my corrospondance rating (in which I don't have to sit down for several hours at a time)

Off to preform in a simul!