[BrianWall-ChessList] More thoughts on Fear of Chess

Wed Mar 14 15:27:41 MDT 2007

From:  chessliz at comcast.net
To:  Brian Wall <BrianWallChess3 at taom.com>
Subject:  Re: [BrianWallChess] Fear of Chess

Liz Wood

I can relate to much of what you've said.  However, overcoming fear is really a
matter of practice.  I suggest you check out the book Rapid Chess Improvement -
A study plan for adult players by Michael de la Maza (Everyman Chess).  I am
finding that much of my psychological fear is erased by the simple procedure of
going through tactic problem after tactic problem on the computer.  I've not
completed the course as outlined in the book: I've kind of scrapped the time
line, since my energy and concentration are a little more limited than when I
was in my 30's (I'm 60 now).  However, I'm finding that I no longer dread
playing stronger players because I am learning to fill in my blanks (where I'm
the weakest).  There is something to winning: as the winner of the game, the
thrill of winning one; as the loser, the joy of learning.

I too had problems with attaching winning a game to my self-worth.  However,
I've transplanted my sense of growth and improvement as a positive to my
self-worth.  P.S. I also got involved in promoting chess here in Pueblo (not
directing or any other "public" job, but behind the scenes where I'm most
comfortable.

Good luck
Liz

--------------------------------------------------------

----- Forwarded message from Oliver Maas <Oliver_Maas at t-online.de> -----
    Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 19:49:35 +0100
    From: Oliver Maas <Oliver_Maas at t-online.de>
Reply-To: Chess_Improvement at yahoogroups.com
 Subject: Re: [Chess Improvement] Fear of Chess
      To: Chess_Improvement at yahoogroups.com

Hi,

id like to comment on some points, although i havent got this kind of fear of
chess myself.

I remember my first evenings at the chess club. We often played Blitz games, and
i usually
lost against 10 or more opponents, often resulting in the last rank in the
table, but i didnt worry
since i told myself "well im new here and its normal. But i like to play..."

In fact, i liked playing so much (and i played so often), that i didnt have the
time to worry
about my losses :)

Gradually i became better... i began my first team play in the 5th team of that
club
(and i won my first "offical" game, it was a Kings Gambit).
Next year, i played in the 4th team... and so on til i finally was in the second
team of this club.
During that year, i left the university and i moved to another town.

I found another chess club there, and played quite well.

Now i am in my third chessclub, and at the moment i have a period during which
my rating seems to decline
(which is about the first time after several years of gradually climbing). But i
still like that game and im always
looking forward to playing against stronger opponents. At the moment i tell
myself "well i have so many other
interests. But i still like to play..."

Apart from playing i like to prepare my openings (plus middlegame) against my
next opponents, which can also be quite interesting
(even if he later plays something different on the board; sometimes the analysis
can work out against another opponent).

regards

Oliver

----- End forwarded message -----

-------------- next part --------------
From:  chessliz at comcast.net
To:  Brian Wall <BrianWallChess3 at taom.com>
Subject:  Re: [BrianWallChess] Fear of Chess

Liz Wood

I can relate to much of what you've said.  However, overcoming fear is really a
matter of practice.  I suggest you check out the book Rapid Chess Improvement -
A study plan for adult players by Michael de la Maza (Everyman Chess).  I am
finding that much of my psychological fear is erased by the simple procedure of
going through tactic problem after tactic problem on the computer.  I've not
completed the course as outlined in the book: I've kind of scrapped the time
line, since my energy and concentration are a little more limited than when I
was in my 30's (I'm 60 now).  However, I'm finding that I no longer dread
playing stronger players because I am learning to fill in my blanks (where I'm
the weakest).  There is something to winning: as the winner of the game, the
thrill of winning one; as the loser, the joy of learning.