Slowing down and thinking in chess

Hey guys. I recently had a game where I had a clearly winning position and was trying to convert it into a victory. I found that I was moving too quickly and not thinking about the position, and I actually took myself away from the screen for a second and committed to slowing down and actually thinking. The problem is that it never happened. I immediately made a silly move and lost the game. I have trouble gettng myself to think deeply about chess for longer periods of time. I often just move abruplty and don't bother to look at the consequences. I use 30|0 time controls, but I only use most of my time if the position is confusing. I still usually don't find the right move in those situations, but I want to know how to develop patience in chess in order to improve my game. I thank all of you who answer.

I struggle with it too. I have ADHD, so the whole idea of playing chess goes against everything that my mind and body want to do. 

Couple of ideas:

1. Sit on your hands. 

2. Make a checklist of things your are going to look at each and every move. THEN DO IT (I suck at the second part)

3. Even if you know an opening, and know the response, play it slow enough to remember why your playing it. I think there is a rhythm to playing chess. Keep it nice and steady.

4. Ignore how fast your opponent moves. Maintain your rhythym. 

Most over the board tournament games for amateurs last 3 to 5 hours. Weekend events for big prizes usually offer time controls like 40 moves in 2 hours, then one hour to make the rest your moves. This gives you about an average of 3 minutes a move. I have a free video lessons course that helps you learn to anaylze, and study what you need to know most, and less time on other things. 30 0 is the slowest time conrol offered by default, but I have a group that plays 75 30 or 90 30, the only group with exclusive time controls that replicate real tournaments. Finding opponents is relatively easy, you show up and look for a game when you want to play. No messy scheduling needed!

My two groups: http://www.chess.com/groups/home/nm-aww-rats-free-video-lessons

http://www.chess.com/groups/home/world-standard-time-control-chess-club-365-days-a-year

Once you are prepared to have the patience to play a long game, which will improve your play, you will find you enjoy the slow pace as you uncover more during, and after the game when you analyze it.

Hope this helps, my resources above are open to all members.

Been in a state of chess depression after dropping from my peak of 1280 to 1180 in rapid and I have never really dropped ELO before. I feel like I'm so much worse and it's so frustrating because I don't know why. I seem to make constant mistakes and then realise the mistake seconds after. It's reassuring that OP had the same issue 10 years ago and is now a NM.

I had a similar drop-off early last month. Fell from 1388 to 1325. Left me feeling that this was my peak and I'd never top 1400. But I did. Now I've reached 1449 after utterly crushing my last three opponents, one of whom was in the high 1400s.

I don't know where my peak will be, but I don't think I've reached it yet. You'll bounce back too.

@4

"I seem to make constant mistakes and then realise the mistake seconds after."
++ Think about your move. When you have decided, do not play it, but imagine it played. Then spend a few seconds to check it is no mistake. Only then play it.

That's a great attitude Milo!

Yeah I really must do this. I tell myself I'm going to think of every move and then when it comes to it play most moves without much depth and consideration. I will improve though.

I realize that this discussion started over a decade ago, but I found it through google today. This made me chuckle as it describes me perfectly:

"2. Make a checklist of things your are going to look at each and every move. THEN DO IT (I suck at the second part)"

I have plenty of checklists I have heard of and I know what I should be doing, but then I just don't. Maybe an ADHD (undiagnosed) thing.....

Good thoughts though.

Thanks,

Ryan