My chief has been working well until now. It spins long when I throw it normally and don’t perform any string tricks, but once try to throw even one of my shortest combos, it dies out on me.
Well, yo-yo’s always die eventually.
Check the response, the bearing, the string, and the axle.
Is it making a lot of noise? Check the bearing and string tension, try cleaning the bearing and reoiling.
My chief also did this. I changed the string and lubed the bearing with yyf lube. With a couple of throws it was working again.
Then you should suspect that your throw is bad.