A Complete Mystery (Explain this, please!) 

Just when you thought you were out...

I experience that fluctuation in my chess fitness quite often. One time I play like a grandmaster, another time - it's complete dogshit. In my opinion, it's matter of feeling comfortable in certain positions, and not so much in other positions.

I think the big difference in these two games is that you knew what you were doing in the opening in the blitz game. This allowed you to move quite quickly at the start and white got a very poor pawn structure. Black here has very good long term prospects. As the game moves on, it’s much easier to play for black and the fast time control makes it easier for your opponent to go wrong. In the longer format, your opponent played a sideline so opening preparation was less important. Whilst your opponent played an inferior opening, it wasn’t bad, and you were probably a little less comfortable with that type of position. I find, for example, you are a little too fond of Queen-side castling, perhaps for it’s unexpected value. Q-side castling without a c-pawn is something I personally would consider very carefully indeed. Here I would not have done it because of the extra space White has over there. I don’t think that’s because you weren’t calculating well, but because you didn’t have the “danger” instinct for it. The good news is that it can be improved with experience.

You'll find a lot of this in my games as well. At my age I find I can play brilliantly for about an hour. Any longer and the quality of play quickly diminishes. In my case at least, I have to admit it sounds like mental fatigue.

Welcome back, Ben!

Thanks for that upload Ben. if you see chessacademy from yesterday or the day before, how to avoid 50%of your blunders this kind of explains how one gets long term problems. the blunder is one thing, but those blunders happened by choosing the wrong long term plan, or rather chossing no long term plan. Ok take care my friend.

Don’t you dare leave us! We’ve come too far

He couldn't resist!

My grandfather gave me a book with all the moves when I was a child. I wish I still had it.

Can I ask. If BF said just play what’s in front of you; why is there so much emphasis on leaning multiple named openings. (‘scuse my ignorance.)

Welcome Back Mr. Ben

Seriously, don't put too much stock in those accuracy ratings. So much depends on the complexity of the game and the power of your opponent's play ... it's not a great indicator.

Hope things improve for you if you continue OTB chess. Love your videos regardless!

So often, it is not the first mistake that does the real damage, it is the next one, which often follows closely, as in your first game. Taking the bishop & then losing your bishop was what the opponent wanted, to win the pawn, but it appears you were somewhat shook that you missed that tactic to win his bishop & that seemed to cause your poor next follow up, the second blunder of losing your knight & with that you were effectively lost! In blitz games, you have no time to dwell on such mistakes & can try & play on & win the game on time, an option that is very unlikely in longer play games? As you play blitz much more than long play OTB, it is clear you prefer & play better in the blitz time format. Simples?! Agree or disagree? No worries either way; in chess & in life as you know, often you have to take the rough with the smooth & keep rolling along! :-)

I agree with @howardkay1876. You should stick to one opening and quit unsound gambits. Also, you can improve a lot by doing puzzles (on lichess). Please make a video dedicated to solving puzzles at least once

Don’t go.

Like or Dislike: Like. I do hope you'll connect with the local chess community in your new hood, even if you're not as active there.

Chess is a game of regrets ...

Every GM advises people to just study tactics, every 1500 spends all their time on openings, except kids. It will click one day, or not.

Jesus love you so much Ben! Draw near to him!

Welcome back, Ben!