When touring Yellowstone National Park back in May, I was on sensory overload. There was so much to see: geysers everywhere; volcanic rock; trees I'd never seen before; eagles; osprey; bison; elk; jagged rocks; snow (yes, on the highest elevations--I even stoped and threw a snowball); rivers; deep blue lakes; fast-moving streams; dramatic waterfalls; gorgeous gorges; blue skies; flowers; and so much more! I just couldn't take it all in. 

Sounds filled the air: birds singing; water falling, churning, and gurgling; wind in the trees; momma animals calling their babies; geysers spraying; and so much more. And the smells filled the senses: fresh air; running water; evergreen; bison dung; and more. Even the sense of touch was overwhelmed: cold water; snow; temperature (was in the 30s when I arrived); cold handrails; rough benches around Old Faithful; rocks; and more. I tried bison and elk in restaurants. The elk was a little gamey. It took all five senses to take it all in and still it was not enough!

In a similar way, we must use all of our senses to win at chess (or risk missing the win):

• SIGHT: Use your eyes to see the game from your perspective AND your opponent's. Flip the board. Think about what you would do if you were him/her. Look at every space to which your opponent may move.
• SOUND. Now, I realize that chess.com makes no sound, but try to imagine what the opponent is thinking. What is he/she saying to himself/herself? Try to get your opponent to wonder what you are up to!
• SMELL. Assume every move he/she makes is "fishy." Don't forget the previous move--the last move may just be a distraction (to separate the two moves that will bring your disaster)! Work for the sweet smell of victory with every move!
• TASTE. Avoid a bitter taste by making sure your king is protected. Protect all your pieces, even pawns. Develop a sweet plan.
• TOUCH. If it helps, set up a real chess set. Some find three-dimensional chess helps them to see things better. I don't know if it is the angle/perspective or something else.

I will try this

 

This is a nice reminder.  I had forgotten about flipping the board.

Your description of Yellowstone National Park is almost poetic.  Well described and good advice in respect of chess.

There still has to be a mind behind the senses for evaluation of the datainput

and the quality of that mind decides the game. With more input, the amount

of information increases, this might be useful. It still has to be filtered for

garbagedata (garbage in ~ garbage out).

During tournamentgames in the real world, I often placed myself behind the

opponent. It has a subtile psychological effect and you perceive his view

of the game...

Thanks, KB, that's useful stuff.  Chess in a perfect environment is usually a pretty silent game:  the whisper of pens writing moves on a score sheet, the quiet plop of a chess clock being pressed (or the occasional crash as it is slammed in frustration).  Not for us the noise and clamour of professional sport.  Never do we have to contend with tennis professionals arguing with the referee, or screeching as they hit the ball.

Never!

Well ... hardly ever.

In the minor division of the Australian Championship in January one of my opponents left a pawn en prise, so I snaffled it.  I was startled when she inhaled audibly then let it all out in an angry hiss.  This became the pattern for the game and each time I created a problem for her I was subjected to the same inhale/hiss routine.   It was the chess equivalent of the Sharapova Shriek?

I suppose I could have complained but, her bad manners aside, it struck me as funny.  Besides, her discomfort was a very encouraging comment on the state of play.  

At least, I could be grateful that she wasn't spitting on me.