Just curious if this has happened to anyone else. One of my friends has played me several times online, and 3 out of five has beat me pretty harshly. But, everytime he and I play OTB, I completely slaughter him. And I've seen him get slaughter by another friend who I also beat regularly. Just curious if this seems to happen to anyone else, or if I just need to take a break from chess for a while.

>>Renegade   \o/

well personally i play ALOT better in person. Seeing the board makes a huge differnce to me. others play alot better online.

I find a physical or 3d board helps me eliminate blunders with bishops and queens on long diagonals.

Maybe he is cheating?

I seem to pay extra attention otb than online. I'm usually on a bed or on the couch online but otb I'm sitting in a hard chair so my posture is better and it's easier to focus.

I don't think he's cheating, mainly because he and I are usually at the lunch table, and I can see his screen if I try. He never has anything but Chess.com open, at least nothing else chess-related. Maybe it is just having only a 2d board to look at...

>>Renegade   \o/

I tend to play much better OTB than online, maybe you're the same way.

i had the same problem a while back. a friend of mine just started playing and could pass off as a 1000 rated player at best. online...he's rated at just above 2000. i don't know what to say. he beats people above 1800 regularly online too...

At least I know its not just me. Thanks guys!

>>Renegade   \o/

analysis board greatly changes the way people play.

Check the replay option before you make a move.

Never heard of anyone playing better online than OTB. Most people seem to play about the same or OTB is better, which makes me a wee bit suspicious.

i play better on-line. The 2-d board is easier to read.

I play a LOT better online than OTB purely because of the time factor, analysis boards and open references to opening books.  That's like the 3 days per move type chess... whatever it's called.  

I play better OTB than in Live chess though... at least I think I do... It's kinda hard to judge!

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That's seems really strange. I guess I don't understand the time-line: Do you mean he used to be a 1000 a while back, when he just started playing, and now he's 2000?