Tilt isn’t just something I’ve studied — it’s something I’ve lived.
After a tough classical game, I’ve felt the frustration, the self-doubt, the urge to fix everything right now by jumping into another game. I used to think I could train myself out of it completely, like building some kind of emotional armor. But over time, I’ve realized that tilt isn’t something you erase — it’s something you learn to navigate.
This article isn’t about becoming immune. It’s about being honest: we care, so we tilt. But we can also learn to recognize the signs early, respond with clarity, and stop those emotions from taking the wheel.
What follows is part reflection, part strategy — and I hope, a conversation.
I want to share some of my own experiences with tilt — especially after classical games.
I’m not immune. I’ve been caught in emotional spirals and found my way back, and I think that struggle will resonate with others who’ve faced the same battles. For now, I’m focusing on classical chess — not blitz or bullet — because the rhythm is different, and so is the tilt that follows. Classical games give you time to reflect. The real question is: how do you use that time?
How Do You Define Tilt?
Tilt is when emotions override your ability to make good decisions. It could be a reaction to a blunder, a lost game, or a frustrating tournament. You’re no longer playing the position — you’re playing your feelings. And when that happens, your judgment suffers.
Can Top Players Get Tilted?
Absolutely — even the very best.
One of the strongest players I’ve faced was Hikaru Nakamura, during the World Cup. In our first rapid tiebreak, he had a clear advantage (+− evaluation), but I defended well and drew the game. He was playing White and, naturally, frustrated with the result.
With only about 15 minutes between games, there wasn’t much time for either of us to recover. In the next game, Hikaru messed up the move order early and continued playing fast, almost like he didn’t care. I could feel the tilt.
But after I spent 5–6 minutes thinking on one move, something shifted. When he returned, he played much more calmly — not perfectly, but no longer tilted. That moment made me realize: even the top players get tilted. The difference is in how quickly they recover.
Common Triggers of Tilt
Tilt isn’t always caused by a single blunder. It can stem from:
- A careless mistake
- Throwing away a winning position
- Losing from an equal or drawn position
- Bad preparation leading to awkward openings
- A string of poor performances
- Unpleasant behavior from an opponent
- Even just general fatigue or stress
These moments build up — and unless we address them, they can derail our mindset for hours, days, or even longer.
Tilt After the Game vs. Tilt During the Game
There are two forms of tilt:
- Tilt after the game: When the emotional residue from a loss affects your preparation, confidence, or next game.
- Tilt during the game: When emotions creep in while you’re still playing — leading to impulsive or rushed decisions.
This article mainly focuses on the first — the kind that lingers and follows you from one game to the next.
1. Let Go of the Pressure to Bounce Back Immediately
As I’ve mentioned, I’m an ambitious person who sets high goals for myself. That’s great when it comes to my career because there’s a clear path to follow. However, when it comes to playing a game, I don’t think that kind of goal-setting is always helpful. In the middle of a game, focusing too much on materialistic goals can actually get in the way of playing your natural style. When you’re too result-oriented, your decision-making and moves get affected.
I’ve played in two World Rapid and Blitz Championships, and both times I started with huge expectations — I wanted to perform well. While I don’t consider myself as strong in rapid and blitz as I am in classical chess, my performance shouldn’t be as bad as it usually is. Both times, the first rounds went terribly, and I believe this was mainly due to those high expectations. After one loss, the pressure only grew. I wanted to come back and recover, but it was a struggle. The first year, in both rapid and blitz, I ended up playing on the last boards.
Interestingly, the real comeback came only when I let go of those expectations. Once I stopped trying to force a result, I was able to play with more freedom. A similar situation occurred in my second Rapid and Blitz Championship.
For me, I manage to stop the tilt when I let go of expectations. It’s strange, but it works.
2. Find Your Ground Before Pushing Forward
One of the most damaging side effects of tilt is the urge to recover instantly — to prove that you’re “back.” But that’s often when we take the biggest risks, usually without thinking them through.
After a loss, it’s natural to want to bounce back quickly — but sometimes we take unnecessary risks in the process. It’s okay to play any style after a loss, whether solid or dynamic. Many players gravitate toward dynamic positions because they feel they offer more chances to win. But with those chances comes risk.
The important thing is that the risk is calculated. If you’re going for a dynamic position, make sure it’s a decision based on sound judgment, not desperation. Taking calculated risks is fine, but playing recklessly only sets you up for more frustration.
An example from my own experience: in a rough tournament in Uzbekistan, I was about to face David Paravayan. I chose the Pirc — not my usual go-to in that situation. While I was somewhat prepared, the decision came more from frustration than from strategy. I wanted to shake things up and get back fast. In hindsight, I should have focused on finding my footing first — not pushing forward before I was grounded.
We all love comeback stories — like Anand’s bounce back in the 2010 World Championship against Topalov — but expecting that kind of immediate turnaround every time just isn’t realistic. Sometimes, the comeback isn’t flashy. Sometimes, it’s just a series of solid, quiet games that slowly put you back on track.
3. Damage Control Isn’t Passive — It’s Smart Play
There have been times I lost multiple games in a row online — even against players of similar or slightly higher strength. Why? Because I tried to “fix” each loss by going all-in to win the next one. I didn’t take the time to stabilize. I didn’t think about damage control until it was too late.
There’s no shame in losing — especially when your opponent outplays you. But when you’re tilted, you’re not being outplayed — you’re self-sabotaging. That’s when you need to pause and switch your mindset.
A powerful example of this kind of damage control? The 1984–85 World Championship match between Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov. Kasparov, young and full of energy, had stormed through the tournament to reach the title match, but Karpov — more experienced — took an early lead. By Game 9, Karpov was up 4-0. After Game 27, the score had extended to 5-0 in Karpov’s favor. The match format was brutal: first to six wins, no game limit.
At that point, Kasparov had a choice. He could go all out in an emotional attempt to come back, or he could slow down, find stability, and wait for his moment. With guidance from Mikhail Botvinnik (either after Game 9 or Game 27), he chose the latter. He started making quick draws, buying time to recover mentally and wear Karpov down.
It worked. He won his first game in Round 32, then again in Rounds 47 and 48. The match was eventually halted, but the lesson stands: when you’re reeling from losses, you don’t have to punch your way back in.
4. Take a Break — and Come Back Clearer
Don’t underestimate the power of walking away. A short break after a string of bad games can do wonders. Whether it’s a walk, a nap, or just time spent off the board, stepping away helps reset your emotional compass.
If you find yourself making the same kind of mistakes or feeling mentally exhausted, give yourself permission to pause. Chess will still be there when you return — and you’ll return with a clearer head.
Final Thoughts
In this article, I’ve shared some of the mistakes I’ve made while handling tilt and how I’ve overcome them at times. However, knowledge alone is not enough. What matters is how you apply these lessons to your own game. You’ll have to experiment with different approaches, find what works best for you, and continuously work on your mental game.
Remember: Tilt is natural, but learning how to handle it can make all the difference in your performance. By letting go of unrealistic expectations, focusing on stabilizing after losses, and recognizing when you need to play solidly, you can regain control and improve your overall mindset in chess.
In Part 2, we’ll take a look at how top players handle tilt.
From the strategies they use to stay calm, to how they bounce back after a tough loss, we’ll learn from the best on how to manage our emotions and keep playing with focus.
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