Traps, Tricks & Mistakes: Panic

This post is a collaboration with Mr Andrew Crosby who is an expert in chess gambits.
Andrew usually plays them in his games with great success. In addition, he is member of our virtual Chess.com club and takes active part in our online tournaments and team matches.

In life, a state of panic should be avoided and the same principle also applies to chess. Decisions made in difficult positions require calm, as opposed to panic, to promote objective consideration and rational thinking. Many club players find it almost impossible to remain calm in the various forms of speed chess, ie bullet, blitz and rapid. As a consequence, the likelihood of mistakes and blunders becomes highly probable.

Attacks on the king are a likely cause of panic. Also, panic can be induced by gambits that often prove successful in speed chess. Today’s game features a prime example of the latter which sets a kingside attack in motion in the Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4).

Dear readers, chess is a game full of surprises.
If you like to play for traps, make sure you are well versed in them and never relax your evaluation process.

If you fear traps, learn to avoid them. But if you like to play sharp positions, traps can be everywhere. Learn to evaluate every position carefully and objectively. And avoid decisions driven by panic.

If you enjoy online chess and are unable to attend your local club, then join our virtual Chess.com club. We regularly play online tournaments, team matches and there is Blitz every Saturday.
More than 650 members enjoy that chance and new players join every week. New tournaments need players! Join now! Limited slots!