Why is my game getting worse? Should I take a break from playing chess?

I wanted to ask for some help about a problem I've been having recently.

For about 2 weeks, I felt like my chess mind was as good as it's ever been.

I won heaps of games against players rated higher than me and in almost all my games and I could 'see' the lines and patterns really quickly.

However this last week, the exact opposite has happened and I feel like there's a fog in my brain in that I can't see things quickly - I make many blunders and I've been losing more than I've been winning.

This has happened to me a few times before and I don't know why. I’ve definitely been more tired from work but I don’t think that can explain everything.

So, my question is:

• is this type of thing common with chess players?
• and if so, what can be done about it?  Maybe I need to take a few 'chess rest days’ to allow my mind to ‘rest’.

Thanks in advance

 Richard

I have good days and bad days. It is very evident on another site where I do 10 tactics problems a day. Sometimes I just don't see things right. Others, problems just click one after another. The same is true with my games. On the tactics site, I had to limit myself to 10 problems because after a bad streak I would just keep going sinking myself deeper and deeper in an attempt to recover.

Nigel Short: "Too much blitz rots the brain just as surely as alcohol"
Encyclopedia: "Oenophile: see Nigel Short"

Yes indeed, look at Hansen and Hambleton's form lately.

i am having this problem, too. if you reach a decent rating, take a break from playing and study tactics, then go back to playing once your tactics is good. 

I notice that the top grandmasters play their best chess the day after a rest day. 

Diet is really important in reducing "brain fog". Avoid salt, sugar and processed foods before you play. It can make a huge difference.

Indeed. If you enjoy playing chess period then wins or losses should be the farthest thing from your mind. Overthinking and ego hurts one's game. Sure taking some time off helps but also setting your mindset to just being a casual player helps tremendously. Unless your initial success have you thinking beyond that. Otherwise, like just playing a pick up game of Basketball, or poker with the guys just play. Best wishes.