How can I improve my concentration during a long game

[matt_ward]

Hello,

I could not help but post something about the following problem which I encounter continuously whilst playing in a long chess game (e.g. 1 hour 30 minutes each or longer.)

The reason I mention this is because I find it difficult to stay at the board for the whole time control, whether winning or losing or if the position is drawish. And I basically believe this is in turn the reason for me losing a lot of won positions or games. I guess a way of rectifying this would be to make sure I win them.

If anyone has any useful tips for me or anyone in general on how to improve concentration during a long game, I find this happens regularly and I find it affects my general play against whoever my opposition is.

Regards Matt.

[David Shepherd]

I have the same problem, I think maybe trying to identify what you are not thinking about helps, particualry when it is you opponents move - are you looking at long term strategy, weaknesses in their position, in your position, pawn structures, outposts etc, but I know that tiredness never helps and that my mind wanders much more when I am tired and I suddenly realise that I am not thinking about the game at all. I find splashing water on my face sometimes helps to wake me up.

[Krishna Shiatis]

Hi Matt,

Concentration is a very interesting concept. It is not something you are always aware is happening or not. It is almost a subconscious reflex. I have found that a regular sleeping pattern, eating properly and exercising (LOL) helps.

Of course, I actually do none of these.

Kind regards,

Krishna

[David Shepherd]

I regularly go to sleep between 1 and 2am so looks like I have at least 1 of the three covered.

[matt_ward]

Me too, I do hope it will give me a chance to identify my issues. The reason I say this is because it genuinely does affect my chess massively.

The big problem with me is I tend to have a small drink before I play to relax me! Prefer this to smoking, but I get somewhat impatient at the board when my opponent is taking a while and end up paying more attention to other games in progress.

Let's hope this Thursday I will be more disciplined and Saturday and Sunday.

Matt

[Phil Makepeace]

The big problem with me is I tend to have a small drink before I play to relax me!

You've changed your tune.

[Gareth Harley-Yeo]

The big problem with me is I tend to have a small drink before I play to relax me!

You've changed your tune.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em?

[Alex Holowczak]

The big problem with me is I tend to have a small drink before I play to relax me!

If that's the problem, then the solution should be pretty obvious!

[Warren Kingston]

I only concentrate when its my move, chill out other times. Walk about, read the paper, have a drink, whoops, maybe not.
Tiger Woods does that, just concentrates when he has to, relaxes other times. Impossible to keep the same level all the way through.

[David Lettington]

I only concentrate when its my move, chill out other times. Walk about, read the paper, have a drink, whoops, maybe not.

I did play against someone who read the Financial Times when it was my move and only looked at the position when it was his move. Annoyingly, I lost, although he was over 20 grading points higher than me.

[Joey Stewart]

A little walk here and there is not exactly an awful habit - I think it was capablanca himself who reccomended that upon leaving an interesting middlegame and reaching the endgame one should go for a walk to help readjust your mindset to the new complexion of the game.

Also, you can use this time to be able to have some thoughts about the game in a no pressure environment (no opponent in front of you or clock to remind you of the time...) and sometimes might see new ideas that did not occur earlier.

Just make sure that once you return you NEVER bash out a move instantly - loads and loads of games are lost by this. Even if the reply to your opponents move is relatively obvious you still need to take the time to re focus your mind back onto the game.