I couldn’t figure out why I’d win a bunch of games in a row, then lose a bunch to lower rated players.
There are many factors, but I discovered that I win after drinking coffee, and I lose after drinking alcohol.
Even if I only have a couple beers after work, then try to play chess, I’ll make obvious mistakes. No matter how hard I try. Same effect with tactics puzzles.
Drinking coffee, or having energy, has a positive effect. More so than I would’ve expected. I’ll wonder how it’s possible to play so many terrible players in a row. It’s just because I’m not making mistakes.
Interesting how chess can reveal these things about your own thought processes.