I have noticed certain variations in my play depending on my emotional state. I am a casual player (1000 ELO on Lichess) but try to get in at least one game per day. It was a big deal for me to hit the 1000 mark, so I am very conscious of how much above it / below it I am at any time. When I am anxious or thinking about a past fight with my SO, or am stressed out about a current issue, I start losing games like crazy (And my ELO drops significantly). Once everything is fine and dandy, it starts climbing up again. I think chess is very much a game of extreme concentration and any intruding thoughts (which depending on the problem will penetrate with more / less ease) seep through and break that focus.
I have noticed certain variations in my play depending on my emotional state. I am a casual player (1000 ELO on Lichess) but try to get in at least one game per day. It was a big deal for me to hit the 1000 mark, so I am very conscious of how much above it / below it I am at any time. When I am anxious or thinking about a past fight with my SO, or am stressed out about a current issue, I start losing games like crazy (And my ELO drops significantly). Once everything is fine and dandy, it starts climbing up again. I think chess is very much a game of extreme concentration and any intruding thoughts (which depending on the problem will penetrate with more / less ease) seep through and break that focus.