How do you cope with smug chess players?

There is a person who is good at chess that I might have to play soon. This chess player is smug (always talking during and before a game, saying he'll win, builds himself a reputation), and that seems to be why he wins. Are there any psychological strategies you use to undermine players like this? Actual playing strategies and resources are helpful, too. Thanks in advance.|||Hello;





Wow -- thank you for the great question.





I am sorry to say that I know very well what you are talking about. I used to be that way myself -- a long time ago. Chess is was the only thing I was good at -- so I was quite arrogant about it.





I'll do my best to give you meaningful advice.





1. There is a self fulfilling prophecy at work here -- he is confident and that helps him to win so he becomes more confident. The flip side of that is that if he loses a few games he loses confidence and then he doesn't play as well.





2. When you play him don't let him talk during the game! Tell him that this is a breach of etiquette and it is very insulting not just to you but to chess in general.





Make sure that he understands that chess isn't about winning and losing to you -- it is about how well the game is played. If he wins be polite and shake his hand -- but don't show any disappointment -- that just strokes his ego more. Your attitude should be "You won the chess game fair and square -- you might be a better player -- but you are not a better sportsman." This should take some of the smugness out of him.





4. Chess is often a shared passion and players can become good friends Reti and Breyer come to mind. My chess buddies are very precious to me. I remember car pooling to tournaments and having celebratory meals after games.





5. In this day and age of computers, and chess clubs, internet play -- the smugness can't last long ... eventually he will learn not to be not so arrogant -- because the cold hard truth is that there are people (and machines) that play much better chess than he does. When that sinks in -- chess becomes an art to enjoy and not a win/loss game for stroking one's ego.





If worse comes to worse introduce him to serious club play -- I assure you that will take the starch out of him in short order.





Gens Una Sumus,





Bill|||unfortunately, there are smug chess players (including me). the only way to shut him up is to win





there are no psychological stategies, just focus on the game and try not to make mistakes





author : irving chernev


title : winning chess, how to see three moves ahead





being in a winning position is not easy, but this book should help you avoid rookie mistakes|||No, I just play. But I don't play real competitively.|||See if you can find a General's Hat or something to that effect and tell him that if you are the Commander of a Chess army that it helps to look the part. This will undoubtedly be a distraction which will break his concentration.





You could get a pair of sunglasses and remain utterly quiet, so that you present a steely face to him. You might be able to psyche him out that way as well.|||You seem to think that his smugness is the reason he wins many games. In fact it has nothing to do with it. Perhaps his talking "Psyches" opponents out to the point they make poor choices.





Typically a person who talks incessantly during a contest like that does it for one of two reasons.





1) They are trying to get under the skin of their opponent and throw them off their game.


2) They are nervous and this is the way they cover that up.





Either way, you don't need to have any strategies to combat this person. If they are trying to get to you, ignore them, and if they are nervous..GOOD!





If you have the opportunity to watch the person play, you might want to notate their opening moves..Most chess players have favorite openings and defences, you might find out what he likes to play, and steer the game in a different direction.





When the person tries to engage you in conversation, don't be rude, but answer in non committal ways. Shrug your shoulders, say I don't know, and continually move away from the person.





During the match it is considered very rude to engage your opponent in conversation. Bring it to his attention, and if it continues, contact the TD (Tournament Director).





The person might just be VERY good at chess. Remember to do battle with honor and, win or lose, act like a sportsman. Lose with grace, and win like you've done it before.|||Ignore him and focus on the game no matter what he says to you remain disciplined and cool if you respond emotionally to insults and comments on your moves it'll show on your face and in your body language he'll know he's getting to you and keep it up.