Why you overthink in chess (and how to stop)

Comments on https://lichess.org/@/datajunkie/blog/why-you-overthink-in-chess-and-how-to-stop/574BwtcB

I like it it has changed the way I have played in chess

@datajunkie

Thoughtful insights.

Would it be fair to say that the three reasons for people overthinking in chess stem from a grand reason: the ego?

one of the BEST blogs I have seen
im a 1500, and I need help improving. Tips?

I published this week an article about very long "thinks" in chess. You make some good points in your article but the subject misses the point that very long thinks are very common between masters. Amateurs are looking to masters and copy their behavior.

https://schaken-brabo.blogspot.com/2026/02/tijd-deel-3.html

I just played a tournament last week and I felt exactly what you mentioned, fear of a bad perfomance, reach of perfectionisms, and worriness about wrong moves. Fun fact is, I finished losing a winning position because I was so nervous on my first game that I missed a hanging piece, and I was so out of my mind on the third round that I just gave a knight for free during the opening. I'll come back to this article multiple times for sure, because unless we become computers, chess will always be emotional and psychological, I think that's what makes it so beautiful even with strong chess engines nowadays, they will never be able to mimic what chess FEELS like, and what it represents for a human consciousness. Meanwhile, I'll keep in mind your final quote about facing fear

@Atticus15 said ^

A nice way to overcome your fears.

@RuyLopez1000 said ^

@datajunkie

Thoughtful insights.

Would it be fair to say that the three reasons for people overthinking in chess stem from a grand reason: the ego?

I think you could say that

@DawidThePawn said ^

one of the BEST blogs I have seen
im a 1500, and I need help improving. Tips?

Glad you found it useful. Depends on if you play OTB or just online, but improving tactics and longer games (rapid and above) might be good for you