The Psychology of Losing: Why Chess Defeats Hurt More Than You Think | To Chess and Beyond

Every chess player knows the sting of defeat — but why does it feel so personal? In this episode of To Chess and Beyond, we dive into the psychology behind chess losses, exploring why they hurt more than we expect and how our brains process defeat. From loss aversion to the replay loop in your mind, we uncover the science and emotions that make losing in chess such a powerful experience.

How do you handle a tough loss? Tell us in the comments.
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00:00 – A Winning Position Turns to Defeat
00:58 – Why Losing Feels Different in Chess
01:46 – The Brain’s Stress Response to Losing
02:32 – The Replay Loop After a Loss
03:22 – Using Defeat to Grow as a Player
04:09 – Final Thoughts and Lessons Learned

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S01E05 The Psychology of Losing: Why Chess Defeats Hurt More Than You Think