Today I broke my fear of playing live

So, I'm not sure how many other members feel this, but I had a massive aversion to playing live. A complete irrational fear. It was a mixture of:

- not wanting to lose
- looking like a fool for blundering in front of my opponent
- losing points on my ranking

But today I just thought "F**k it. Let's play some blitz."

Yes, I lost 4 of my 5 games and the only game I won was because my partner disconnected, but, all said and done, I enjoyed it. The challenge, the speed, the plan-making... even getting completely smashed by my opponent was enjoyable (for now at least).

My day job is teaching English at a Japanese university. This week we've been talking about fear of speaking English in class. I asked them, "What's the worse that could happen?" which has clearly had a knock-on effect on my own mentality.

We learn to speak by speaking, we learn to play basketball by playing basketball, we learn chess by playing chess (and watching YouTube chess "celebs").

Future steps:

- get used to playing short time controls
- get an opening repertoire sorted (I really want to join #teamscandi for black!)
- just enjoy playing.

I've no ranking score in mind for the time being, as I think setting a score will demotivate me when I don't hit it.

-- ちーぷ (Cheap)

TL;DR

If you are scared of playing live chess like me, JUST DO IT! What's the worst that can happen?

Congratua´lations! I know you are (were) not the only player being scared of playing online. The more you play, the more comfortable you will get. Playing in combination with training will make you better as well.

I wouldn't recommend playing the Scandi, though... but that's just my oppinion and John knows it better for sure! ;-)

Thanks for the reply @birdieschach!

Haha, yes, I am a Bartholomew fanboy...!

I plan on doing some training once I have played a few games and gotten the hunger for improvement ;)

my dearest congrats cheapshot!

It always feels like you are Hercules when you break fears you had over years. You can be proud of yourself, well done!

Cool man! Keep it up :)

Wow, @BeepBeepImAJeep made an appearance on this thread?! Thanks to much for the reply!

@cheapshot ,

While high rated players feel more comfortable in faster time controls, most beginner/intermediate level players dread quick chess, because they make so silly blunders. But the catch is that this is essential to train the brain into figuring the obvious first, before analyzing the deep and complex stuff. And those who do not develop that practical thinking skill, have a much harder time doing progress.

So yes, keep it on being compassionate with your self and you'll grow more self confident.

Thank you so much for the reply @EvilChess. Yes, I plan on getting comfortable with faster time controls and learning to not blunder so much!

Nice post Cheap and what a bunch of nice reply s you got from these guys. I'm impressed by the Lichess crowd, great posts.

I think that salient point Evil made about Blitz is really worth thinking about. It's a good philosophy to get me past my aversion to Blitz play.

#1 Good for you, @cheapshot.