How not to feel nervous while playing chess? People usually avoid discussing this topic, although it’s very important. Let’s be real: we are not machines. Our general (psychological) condition bears influence on our chess results.

Probably you’ve noticed that sometimes you play worse than usual. Obviously, it’s not because of your chess knowledge, which is still the same as previously. When you are afraid of your opponent and worry about the final result – you start playing much worse than usual.
Again, this is completely normal and natural – we are human beings and we have emotions. This problem relates to ALL chess players, including top GMs. Look at modern 2700+ players, and you will easily find some games, where those great players played terribly.

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You may check the World Chess Championship 2016 games where both Carlsen and Karjakin missed their chances.

Some people even say that Bobby Fischer abandoned chess because of his fear of losing. Thus every chess player experiences this problem at some stage. This brings us to the main question:

How to solve this problem?

First, let me give you a dictum:

“Emotions control a weak person.
A strong person controls his emotions.”

Next, I’ll give you a piece of advice, which will help you to direct your emotions on the right track. Here is a very important and wise idea:

You are NOT responsible for the result of your games

Maybe this sounds strange, so let me explain it. Imagine that Kasparov is going to play against an amateur player. Can Kasparov guarantee that he will win? NO, he can’t. He is not God; he can’t predict his future and define his destiny. Kasparov can guarantee that he will try to win, that he will use all his chess knowledge and skills. BUT still, he can’t give a 100% guarantee of his future win.

You are responsible for your play. BUT you are not responsible for the result. Therefore it makes no sense to think and to worry about the result.

Do you know what V. Smyslov said to himself before playing a game? Here’s what:

“My goal is to make 40 good moves.
If my opponent makes a mistake, I’ll win.
If my opponent will also be able to make 40 good moves, there will be a draw.
If my opponent plays like a genius, I’ll lose.” 

(Note: 40 moves is just the average game duration, don’t stick to a specific number.)

Now it’ll be interesting for you to compare it with saying of an Olympic Champion in running:

“After a certain round, look into the mirror and say: “I was running as good as I could.” Be happy and satisfied with your result, and then keep training. Don’t put pressure on yourself (as you don’t want that someone else put pressure on you).Your efforts are the most valuable thing in life, not even the final result…”

Conclusion

While playing chess, your goal is to use all your chess knowledge and skills; to follow the correct system of thinking and to the make the best moves according to this system.

In the next issue, I’ll give you some more advice. In the end, I’d like to give you a task:

It is Black’s turn. Your task is to find the best move and calculate all associated lines. In the next issue I’ll give you the answer and you’ll be able to check it for yourself. 🙂

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