I looked at one of your losses. the two issues that I saw in such a short game were
1) a lack of understanding of transposition in the opening. basically he tricked you into a d pawn game and you were trying to still play it as though it was an e4 type game.
2) minor piece exchanges
@1
"It could be my opening choices" ++ No
"or endgame navigation" ++ No
It is blunder checking and tactics.
Always check your intended move is no blunder before you play it.
Analyse your lost games.
Just play on, you might tilt again.
Put your search values up so that you´re only playing people better than yourself. I find it really focusses the concentration, and it helped me in the last few days to get out of a longish Blitz tilt and back up the ladder. Got 140 points in 5 days and am now back up to my average.
ELO dip is normal, it can lasts weeks - months, just keep playing and you don't have to play a lot, just play routinely, you will get back to your best form again
To most of my students, I give this advice (and it's almost all they need):
The biggest reason people struggle in lower-level chess is because of blunders. They make them in almost every game.
A mistake can instantly put you in a bad position, no matter how well you played earlier: if you had great opening knowledge, great positional skills, great endgame skills, whatever; a single mistake can change everything (you lose a piece or get checkmated).
So, how do you avoid blunders? Follow these two simple steps:
1. After your opponent moves, think if it's dangerous. Ask yourself, “What’s his idea?”
2. Before you make your move, think if it's safe. Ask yourself, “What attacking replies can he play?”
If you feel like getting to levels like 1600, 1800, or 2000 in chess is super hard, let's look at it in a different way. Those players you're facing make blunders in nearly every game they play. Beating them isn't so tough if you stop making big mistakes and start using their slip-ups to your advantage.
Again, it does not require you to become a chess nerd or spend all your time on chess. Just doing this one thing can boost your rating by a few hundred points right away.
Lastly, while avoiding blunders is crucial, I also share a few basic principles with my students. These principles help them figure out what to do in each part of the game - the opening, the middlegame, and the endgame. Understanding these simple principles is like having a map for your moves. When you use this knowledge along with being careful about blunders, you're not just getting better at defending. You're also learning a well-rounded approach to chess. Keep in mind, chess is not just about not making mistakes; it's about making smart and planned moves to outsmart your opponent.
Certainly! Winning a chess game with a touch of humor can make the experience even more enjoyable. Here's a lighthearted suggestion: Step 1: Start by giving your opponent a cheeky wink, as if you're already plotting your devious strategy. Step 2: Begin the game by confidently sacrificing your queen. Act as if it's a grand gesture, sacrificing royalty for the greater good of the game. For added effect, you can say something like, "Who needs a queen when you've got pawns with attitude?" Step 3: As the game progresses, make amusing comments about your opponent's moves. For instance, when they make a questionable move, pretend to be shocked and exclaim, "Oh no, you've fallen into my secret trap called 'Operation Hilarious Mistake'!" This light banter can keep things lively and fun. Step 4: Consider using unexpected tactics, such as moving your knights in funky patterns or intentionally making silly mistakes that are actually part of a cunning plan. Don't forget to add some giggles and laughter along the way. Step 5: Finally, execute your winning move with style. Declare a checkmate with flair and celebrate your victory with an exaggerated victory dance or a high-five! Remember, the goal is to have fun and bring joy to the game of chess while still demonstrating your strategic brilliance. So go ahead, add some laughter and playfulness to your next chess match. Good luck and enjoy!
Hello!
Okay, so recently I've hit a dud and have been unable to progress from 1250.
I started back in Dec 23 at like 400 Elo and I peaked 1364 Elo on July, ever since then my rating plateaued and started going down, I can barely even climb up 1270 now.
It could be my opening choices, or endgame navigation, but I'm trying to improve them now.
Any help is appreciated!