I’m sure this is a beginner question, but I’ve playing chess solely online(mostly on my phone) for the past 6 years.
I went to my first weekly casual chess event that’s hosted at a bar in the city I am in. Everyone was super nice and I can’t wait to go back - even though I only played one game and got my ass handed to me.
Anyways, I feel really dumb looking at a board in real life. Like not calculating correctly and not having the same “board vision” that I normally would have when playing online. Maybe just cuz I am so used to looking at a top down virtual version of the game?
Has anyone else experienced this? Any tips or is it just something I maybe need to practice more in real life to get comfortable playing this way?
It happens. Best advice is to play some blitz with friends otb; get used to having to recognise positions quickly. Good luck!
Edit: on the off chance this was Bristol, hi!
Haha! Thank you and it was not!
Yeah as a kid I used to play on the board with my cousins, then moved online. Occasionally I play on the board and takes a while to get used to it but get used to it after a few games. The same happens to me if I change the theme on lichess or play on a different looking board too! It’ll take no time and you’ll be used to it
While I don’t play chess, I’ve experienced and heard others experience the same issue with playing go (baduk).
I think it’s somewhat common and it’ll go away as you play in person more. It’s much nicer to play on a physical board, I’ve found, and a much friendlier experience to be able to look at your opponent during.
Yeah I just got a board and have been playing against students and have made some really dumb moves because I don’t notice things as easily. Something about the perspective is messing with me too.
After playing online for a while, every time I go back to a real life board, I feel blind! It’s an adjustment.
I’ve been thinking of hitting up a local chess club at a bar too and will probably have the same problem.
