Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Gamesver Team and JC Franco
Chess is an intense game. It’s so intense that some players have difficulty keeping their composure when playing, especially during an unexpected loss. In fact, the intensity is so real that several “chess rage” compilations are circulating online.
Being frustrated in chess teaches you several things, including that uncontrolled emotions lead to losing, that chess requires hard work, and how to ignore distractions. Chess can raise your blood pressure if you are feeling angry. The best way to avoid frustration is to learn from every game.
In chess, being tilted means when you get distressed about something, and it impedes your judgment. To learn more about what you should consider when you experience chess rage and chess tilt, read on!
These are 20 things to consider when frustrated and angry during a chess game:
1. In Chess, You Need to Keep Emotional Composure
Although you may often feel frustrated, it’s important to always try to keep your emotions aside. Whether you win or you lose, always keep your emotions in control. Don’t be too happy when your up, and don’t be too sad when you’re down.
2. Take A Break If You Suffer From Chess Tilt
Suppose you’re so angry and frustrated while playing chess that you start to tilt and lose rating points. In that case, you should take a break to regain your composure before losing even more rating points!
It would be best if you only came back to chess once you are out of the mindset that you constantly have to win.
3. Take Every Loss At Chess As A Learning Opportunity
Taking every loss as a learning opportunity is the best way to deal with chess rage. Seeing each loss as a way to become a better chess player should lead the frustration to subside, and you will be able to make levelheaded decisions.
4. Playing Chess Without Managing Emotions Leads To Losing
Getting so exasperated while playing chess often brings out the worst chess player in you. If you focus so much on your emotions, you may miss out on traps and your best move.
5. Exhilaration When Playing Chess Can Also Lead To Losing
It can be equally as fatal to your Elo rating to overreact positively when winning. If you are so elated at a game that you cannot concentrate on your next game, you also have a problem.
It is essential to take each win and each loss in your stride and not focus too much on either, besides the learning opportunity they present.
6. Chess Teaches You To Practice Patience
When frustrated, you always have a choice: lash out or focus your energy on playing strategically to win. It is important to remember this when you lose your cool. If you don’t reign in your negative emotions, you will lose.
Eventually, if you keep at it, you should learn to be more patient and control your emotions.
7. Chess Teaches You Coping Mechanisms
Although chess can be a coping mechanism in and of itself, chess rage can be so severe that you need coping mechanisms for chess itself. Anger management techniques can be particularly effective in helping to lessen chess rage.
8. Self Confidence Is Important In Chess
Having faith in your abilities makes a considerable difference to your chess playing. Suppose you genuinely believe you can conquer even a daunting match. In that case, you will be less likely to experience the rage and frustration of not winning.
9. Chess Teaches You To Be Considerate
When you are angry and lash out in frustration, it can hurt someone’s feelings significantly. Chess teaches you to be a better person and consider how your rage affects someone else.
10. Chess Requires Mental Preparation
Chess demands pure concentration, and you should prepare for the intense focus necessary to play this magnificent game.
11. Chess Can Push Up Your Blood Pressure
Logically, blood pressure can be raised in moments of extreme anger and frustration. It would be best to be careful and keep your emotions in check, so it does not become detrimental to your health.
Interestingly enough, this raised blood pressure can also burn a large number of calories, and this can lead to unwanted weight loss in some chess players.
12. Chess Teaches You To Look At The Grand Scheme Of Things
If you focus on the next few steps and carefully avoid traps, you won’t get frustrated as frequently. Looking at the big picture will help you think strategically and reduce your frustration.
13. Chess Forces You To Do Some Introspection
Your reactions when you play chess can be indicative of underlying emotional baggage. Chess teaches you about yourself and allows you to gain insight into your strengths, as well as your weaknesses and how to act under pressure.
14. Chess Teaches You Never To Underestimate Your Opponent
You may think you are the best player in your community, but this kind of thinking will make you complacent. You’ll be very sorry when you get beaten by your neighbor’s kid!
It is essential to always consider how you might beat your opponent most efficiently without ratings and other factors clouding your judgment. Otherwise, if you underestimate whoever you are playing with, you may become angry to see that they’re beating you!
15. Chess Can Be Extremely Addictive
Anything you do constantly will get tiring and lead to frustration – chess is no exception. Therefore, limiting yourself to a certain number of games or hours of chess is vital, so your brain doesn’t get overstimulated with all the possibilities.
16. Expect To Be Surprised When Playing Chess
It is not possible to always predict every action of your opponent. The best is to be prepared to be surprised so that it doesn’t throw your game. It would be best if you did not overreact when a surprise gets thrown your way but instead think calmly about how best to proceed.
17. Chess Takes Hard Work
Don’t be discouraged when you’re playing chess. You might have yet to progress quickly enough for your liking, but it is important to note that chess takes a lot of diligence to be truly mastered.
18. Chess Allows You To Overcome Adversity
Chess is a magnificent game. It unites people from all strata of the world’s population. People speaking different languages, from different socio-economic backgrounds, and with varying levels of physical and mental ability – all play chess.
Although it may be frustrating for many when things don’t go their way, overcoming this hurdle to enjoy it is what chess is all about. It unifies people to believe in hard work and that anyone can enjoy this glorious game.
19. Chess Teaches You To Ignore Distractions
One of the greatest frustrations when playing chess is when your niece comes in the room to show you their toy, and your notifications ping aggressively. As a result, you can’t concentrate on your move!
This can be highly unpleasant, but chess can teach you to drown out these distractions and focus solely on the game.
20. Don’t Let Chess Rule Your Life
Chess is a fantastic game that intellectually challenges its players. However, it shouldn’t be the sole thing determining your happiness. The anger you feel when playing chess does nothing except mess up your game. So don’t let chess and the frustration you might feel while playing it take over your life.
In Short
Chess is a beautiful game. But, if you let it take over your life and take it too seriously, it can lead to severe chess rage, which is not helpful to your game or pleasant for the people around you. Chess should be played to learn skills and enjoy yourself without raising your blood pressure too much!
This article was co-authored by our team of in-house and freelance writers, and reviewed by our editors, who enjoy sharing their knowledge about their favorite games with others!
JC Franco
JC Franco serves as a New York-based editor for Gamesver. His interest for board games centers around chess, a pursuit he began in elementary school at the age of 9. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Mercyhurst University, JC brings a blend of business acumen and creative insight to his role. Beyond his editorial endeavors, he is a certified USPTA professional, imparting his knowledge in tennis to enthusiasts across the New York City Metropolitan area.