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Overcoming a losing streak

My biggest problem is lack of focus. Music keeps me in the game, it makes me think better. It might sound strange, but this is true.
KEYPOINT: The streak (any result as of today/this moment/etc) is a lagging indicator of what you did in the past (in your game/games/etc).

So if you lose multiple games, you've done something wrong.

There's tons of reasons. If you look over your games, you may find something. Examples could be: your game play performance, your opponent's strengths, choice of opening, types of uncomfortable/comfortable positions, etc.

If you look over what you have, you can track the moving parts that could be affecting your results and work towards fixing it.

REFRAMING IDEA: Streaks of loss may not be a bad thing. I hinted the idea that you may be playing a ton of stronger opponents. If that's the case, then all you have to do is improve somehow. (Look at examples listed above again!)

IMPORTANT: you can always be exhausted. Especially if you're blitzing. Exhaustion will be a factor.

Last night, I played a game while I was half awake and lost within 5 moves in a King's Gambit opening.

ANOTHER REFRAMING MINDSET: You continue playing. If the thought of a losing streak bugs you, then you can take this opportunity to overcome such a "mind block". You learn to be mentally stronger by discounting past performance. You say to yourself "what happened in the past is gone," and begin to focus on now.

All you truly have is today.
Wow, I'll surely take it into account, tklajefklf! :) Thanks a lot!
"ANOTHER REFRAMING MINDSET: You continue playing. If the thought of a losing streak bugs you, then you can take this opportunity to overcome such a "mind block". You learn to be mentally stronger by discounting past performance. You say to yourself "what happened in the past is gone," and begin to focus on now. "

Good advice. I hadn't thought of this.

I always see a losing streak as the precursor to a winning streak. In general, when I'm losing, it's because I'm finding myself in positions that are unfamiliar or uncomfortable and I make similar mistakes. After I lose a lot of games, I have new information on where I went wrong in those positions and inevitably, I will find myself on the winning end of similar games in the near future.
Read a book, perhaps the games of a player you don't know. Don't try to imitate, but it will suggest a few ideas and should stimulate your game.

Try different openings as white and black. I find this can get me out of a rut. If you're used to balanced games, switch to unbalanced (Dutch Defence; Sicilian Defence, etc).

Don't give up just because you're a piece down. Sometimes you can open lines of attack.
I'd like to expand on Static_shadow's idea with unfamiliar positions.

Did you know GMs have an uncanning ability to remember games and positions? Did you also know if you scatter the piece placements and create a position you'll never ever find in regular chess games (pawns on first and eight ranks) , GMs will have trouble recalling those positions?

If something is unfamiliar, it will affect what we remember, essentially what we know.

That said, for a more specific solution relating to chess: you have to understand what makes a position what it is. Find those components, and recognize them. You might get a better sense of where your pieces belong, what you can do in the position, and what plan is best suited in those types of positions.

Along the way, you just might improve your understand and planning process (taking what you know and making something out of it).

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