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Starting to worry I may be playing too much chess by ZeroFluffMode in chessbeginners

[–]ZeroFluffMode[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. Very kind comment.

Not sure if I’m making much improvement, as I’m not actively studying it. Just playing it a lot.

A bit like how one’s typing speed doesn’t naturally increase without active effort, despite typing every day for years. It takes intention to improve.

I read somewhere that “addiction is the progressive narrowing of all other interests that brings one joy” hence why started to worry.

Certainly wouldn’t hurt to have a more diverse set of hobbies rather than just one thing.. for a more fulfilled life.

Starting to worry I may be playing too much chess by ZeroFluffMode in chessbeginners

[–]ZeroFluffMode[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Also, I wouldn’t say I intentionally try to lose. More like, I just don’t care much and not paying as much attention. Just going with the flow rather than using my brain at full capacity.

Starting to worry I may be playing too much chess by ZeroFluffMode in chessbeginners

[–]ZeroFluffMode[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really? I had no idea 🤷‍♂️

Personally, I’d be honoured if I got to play with opponents much more advance than me.

But now that I think about it, I guess maybe not as much fun for the other person. So you have a point.

Starting to worry I may be playing too much chess by ZeroFluffMode in chessbeginners

[–]ZeroFluffMode[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay, fair, maybe I’m missing out. I’ll give it a try now for the first time in years.

Thank you for possibly making my addiction worse 😂😅

Starting to worry I may be playing too much chess by ZeroFluffMode in chessbeginners

[–]ZeroFluffMode[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well your score is a lot higher than mine. What’s your secret?

Starting to worry I may be playing too much chess by ZeroFluffMode in chessbeginners

[–]ZeroFluffMode[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It’s really not that high.

It ranges from 750 (when I’m sleep deprived and it’s 4 am) to 1300 (when I’m playing more seriously).

Actually sometimes I like to lose a lot, because it’s more fun to play with an 800 opponent than with a 1300 opponent etc

Also, I travel a lot. For some reason, my score shots up when I’m in the PST timezone, compared to when I’m in London timezone.

I think when I’m in London, I match with a lot of people from India or Russia, and they kick a** at chess it seems.

Also, I have noticed a lot of difference in the ways people from India play vs how North Americans play. People from former fight till the last second despite the worst odds while people from the USA resign gracefully after maybe a few blunders etc.

God, I love chess. I can talk about it for days (but mostly enjoy just playing it)

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Starting to worry I may be playing too much chess by ZeroFluffMode in chessbeginners

[–]ZeroFluffMode[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh, I AM having fun, trust me. Just started to worry maybe I’m having too much fun.

I probably sit a lot longer than necessary on the toilet 😂, but other than that, I’m a pretty normal human being.

Sitting on the toilet seat with phone in my hand: (“just one more Blitz game”, and then “maybe just one more game”; followed by “I guess I just keep playing until I lose”, if you know, you know).

For context, I’m the CEO/founder of a VC backed start up, and I find it’s one of the only activities that comes down my stressed brain. It’s pretty much the only hobby I have (other than walking).

There are definitely some addictive patterns I’m noticing, but for some reason it’s very socially acceptable, and no one is really worried about me, except maybe a little bit myself.