Chess is hard! That's all I can say.

Here I am with another post. Let's just say things are not going good for me. I haven't been studying chess or playing games as much recently, and it's probably affected my declining performance even further. Dropped from 1300's to the 1100's. At this rate, I might drop to the 1000s. Seriously speaking, my play is worse off compared to a month ago. I'm so very bad right now. I can't compete in live games any more.

The good thing is, I think I might know what needs to be done. I need to start doing puzzles again and study more chess material, not just openings. The last few days I've done nothing but study my Vienna opening lines but no tactics or anything else.

Anyway, I'm making mistakes everywhere in my games, and the annoying part is I see the mistakes I make just as I make my move. There are times my opponent doesn't even see my mistake and I get lucky, but then I proceed and make another mistake.

Something isn't right. My entire game is a shambles. I know I need to do puzzles and focus on other areas in chess other than openings, but tbh I just don't feel like it most days. Studying openings is more enjoyable for me.

So yeah. I'm losing elo day by day and my performance isn't improving at all. people have said that I shouldn't focus on rating and just enjoy the game but even if I try to enjoy the game regardless, I still lose and become frustrated.

The situation is unpleasant for me right now. I want to improve, but something isn't clicking. I reviewed a bunch of my games thoroughly the other day, but that didn't seem to help me at all.

Chess is hard! That's all I can say.

EDIT: Today I won 5 in a row, and I'm at least playing better. There's no coincidence that today I studied a mix of tactics, middlegame, endgame and opening content and now I'm playing better. I noticed I'm still making mistakes, but I'm recovering a lot easier than usual, and I'm quickly punishing my opponent's mistakes.

I think you might be right about needing to do some puzzles. It looks like you were doing puzzle rush almost every day until about a month ago...

I think it helps sharpen your tactical vision a bit.

Yep, it's been a while since I did some puzzles on a regular basis. Definitely should start doing them again.

Hi! Citrus01.
I am a beginner, and l like to study openings too.
If you like openings. Choose to study 1 or 2 openings for white and black.
And come back to do puzzles diligently most of your practice time.
Just 2 these things for now, If you can do it regularly,
You will improve your games and your rating.
Cheer up.

i feel you pain -- not exactly the same as you as iam way below you in skill chess levels - but i understand that frustration that comes with winning many games in a row and then puff you lose all day long till your way below where you started -- or in my case -- back to 100 again -- i am supporting you in your quest - you know what has to be done you said as much -- so start slow keep going -- i will live through your climb up the ranks again

Thanks! Yeah today I won 7 out of 8 games and I only lost one because of time pressure. The few days before that it was 6 loses in a row or something like that. This is exactly what I mean though, one day you're brilliant and on top of your game and the next day you're dreadful and can't get a win.

If you practice and keep getting your games in, I think you will definitely improve. Chess is tough!

Plateaus and slumps are common and frustrating, especially when you know you’re capable of better games.