Dr. Benjamin Portheault on Chess Psychology: Overcoming Mental Blocks, Pressure & Self-Doubt

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Many thanks to Benji for sharing these valuable insights. He is even willing to answer your questions! So please use this chance and leave a comment/question for Benji!

[@vlnow]

I have found not being attached to a win and seeing my games as just practice and learning has helped me to win more elo ( online) and play better.

[@fmarthoz]

Another amazing video! Some great lessons that go way beyond chess. Once again, great to see two great minds sharing ideas on life, psychology and chess 🙂, I think a lot of the concepts apply to sport and even business...

[@DanielDollinger1959]

What a fantastic podcast. My weird application of ratings fear is holding me back from playing rated games on line, rapid, blitz, etc. The thought of losing that stupid number stops me from trying. I play lots of casual. I have no problem playing correspondence rated. I am guessing that I have time to relax. In tournament play, I was so stressed that I became exhausted over the several days. I won most games and lost to much weaker players. Interesting that each successive tournament is a little more relaxed than the prior one. I will watch for the self defeating stories. I will put on a power suit (mind control method for those unfamiliar with the term). Thanks again.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

So happy that you found it useful and relevant, Dan!

[@emuschablabla1488]

Very deep thoughts, I love that kind of deep thinking in chess. Thanks Dr. Can. Greetings from germany, Emre.

[@EliDollinger]

That was a fantastic episode. I learned a lot.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Great that it was helpful, Eli!

[@ChessAsKungFu]

Ah thank you! I had been looking forward to this episode since you teased it in a previous episode.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

My pleasure! Hope it helps.

[@benjaminportheault2598]

I'm here in the comments for all feedback and questions :)

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Benji, this is amazing. Thank you for your willingness to answer the questions! Hope we will get plenty.

[@ChessAsKungFu]

Thank you for this incredibly useful conversation. I really struggle with the psychological element in chess, perhaps more than any other, so I really appreciated all your insights 🙏 I'm a little worried now that I have no idea where "north" is. I don't know what it feels like to play good chess. It's soooo much easier to remember games I lost than the games I won, and even my favorite wins were thanks more to opponents' blunders than my cleverness

[@LKaempen]

Loved the insights

[@Dr.CansClinic]

So glad that you liked it! ☺️ Thanks for leaving a comment.

[@jazzitall]

I appreciate an amazing video in this amazing environment you create for us (I can't wait for more podcasts!). You have no idea how great is to hear a performance coach the amateurs usually don't have access to. In general no one sets any expectations for adult beginners as I often hear: you started very late so you 100% won't get any title, so what's the point, leave it to kids as serious sport and as for hobby it will take you years to be just average, decades to be good. But guess what: the "pretending" thing works, I thought I'm gone in the head when I came up with this, so good to know it's a legit method 🙂

[@benjaminportheault2598]

Thanks for the kind comment Jazz. Glad you found a technique that works well for you

[@pasadenapsych44]

My ears really pricked up when I heard that Dr. Porthault knows Micky Adams well! Think Like a Super GM is one of my all-time favorite chess books, not only is it fascinating and enjoyable, doing the puzzles feels very close to OTB engagement, with all amazing learning opportunities later reading the other players of different levels analysis. (Also currently enjoying Under the Surface). I have a longstanding interest in meditation, and use acceptance techniques (Acceptance Committment Therapy, is one version) with clients. I've found them to be very effective with obsessive thinking and anxiety, even panic attacks. Using them myself with my chess has been another thing entirely. After a hard loss, I've found it difficult to disidentify with the thoughts and feelings that come. That's not the fault of the techniques, just that to fully implement, at least in the beginning, a coach or therapist will be very helpful. Thanks to both Dr. Can and Dr. Benjamin for a fascinating discussion.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your kind feedback! Great that you also enjoyed Under the Surface and Think Like a Super GM!

[@anthonyjaglal]

A very enjoyable video,my facination intensified with the beep blue games against Kasparov, and at that time we didn't think that a computer could do that 🧐, today am still fascinated how computer uses TIME it's invisible but powerful, many of strong positions have been left hanging,by a tempo🎉 never to be regained,there are . many things that can keep ones passion alive, even if you don't have great ratings 👏💯

[@Dr.CansClinic]

So glad to hear you liked it! Chess keeps fascinating us.

[@chess-ft8fl]

gracias

[@davefleury2583]

Great episode! I have TERRIBLE rating anxiety and I cant explain why. My rating is so low why would it even matter? But I play mostly against Stockfish these days. I explain in in terms of training, to myself but it's more anxiety related.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! Hope Benji gave you some useful and actionable tips to deal with the rating anxiety.

[@TheOnoZone]

♥

[@Dr.CansClinic]

❤️

[@iceicebaby6980]

I went from 170 to 304 and threw a party!!!! Then I tanked down to 250 and hid in my closet for 23 weeks. After therapy, I played one casual game. lost. GM hopes ruined. Good thing I made 2 million on Bitcoin .

[@Crelids]

50:48 is he talking about Levy? :P