I used to be pretty good at chess.

[shockedcanadian]

What happened? I dont study or anything but still, I am terrible now.

 

[Votto]

What happened? I dont study or anything but still, I am terrible now.

1. e4

Your turn

Go!!

 

[lg325]

Chess like most things in life like physical strength and mental functions go by this rule,'' Use it or Lose it.''

 

[shockedcanadian]

1. e4

Your turn

Go!!

I lose.

 

[American Eagle]

Aging?

 

[Votto]

I lose.

Mate in 1?

I've never accomplished that before.

I must be getting better.

 

[shockedcanadian]

Mate in 1?

I've never accomplished that before.

I must be getting better.

I am just stating the obvious. I might as well be playing a GM every game of late. My mind is not sarp anymore, too much going on.

 

[XponentialChaos]

I go on big streaks.

Sometimes it feels like everything is so easy and I keep winning. Then I can’t seem to do anything right. “Gah, why did I do that move?”

 

[Mr. Friscus]

What happened? I dont study or anything but still, I am terrible now.

I was 1400-1500 in my 20’s. I hang around 1000 or below now lol

 

[CrusaderFrank]

What happened? I dont study or anything but still, I am terrible now.

I was mediocre -- at best

I watch Stockfish videos, it's like intellectual porn

 

[Markle]

What happened? I dont study or anything but still, I am terrible now.

I was too, in high school and college. Then came the real world.

 

[shockedcanadian]

I was too, in high school and college. Then came the real world.

My problem is I play the crack of chess, "bullet and blitz". It keeps the brain sharp but leads to far more blunders and bad habits that one would not endure over longer chess times up to classical.

I prefer it though as it is fast, gets the brain going and I can defeat those players who rely on route memorization of book plays and it also deters cheaters due to short time. I may need to play longer games and accept a tougher game against players who just play well known lines which I dont have the time or care to study. I like tactics.

 

[TroglocratsRdumb]

try princess pawn chess
the pawns can move in all directions, but just one square

 

[roderick]

I always heard a really good chess player can see 8 moves ahead. That sounds like someone who is a master.

I've played chess a handful of times. I learned at age 15 and beat the guy who taught me in our second game. But I don't know if he just let me win.

I am not bad if I take my time. I would never make it in one of these timed games or tournaments. I can handle one move a day.

 

[Pappadave1]

I once played avidly...that is until I lost a game to a girl at a tea house in Monterey, CA and she told me I'd played the "Fool's gambit."

 

[egp320i]

I did not play much but was decent
I recently signed up to some online chess game you play against others
I would be winning trying to set up a checkmate and the game would say it's a draw, what?

 

[XponentialChaos]

I did not play much but was decent
I recently signed up to some online chess game you play against others
I would be winning trying to set up a checkmate and the game would say it's a draw, what?

Sounds like a stalemate.

 

[egp320i]

Sounds like a stalemate.

when I have 4 pieces and they have just the king just of matter of time before they run out of moves, I win but the game won't give me a chance

 

[Foxfyre]

What happened? I dont study or anything but still, I am terrible now.

I was taught chess many years ago by an uncle by marriage who just happened to be the Texas collegiate chess champion. And under his tutorage I got pretty good. But like you I didn't keep it up--not a whole lot of people I associated with back then played chess--so instead we played bridge, pinochle, poker and such. And I doubt I could beat much of anybody in chess now.

 

[XponentialChaos]

when I have 4 pieces and they have just the king just of matter of time before they run out of moves, I win but the game won't give me a chance

If the opponent is not allowed to make any legal moves and they are not in check, then it is a stalemate and a draw.