Losing Flow in the Middle of a Chess Game
Flow, Flow, Flow—what is flow? Well, I've heard this term a lot lately, and it's often portrayed as a positive state. It's a mind frame one aspires to, characterized by deep focus, concentration, and a total dissolution of physical awareness. An example that readily comes to mind is eating a favourite meal while watching Cowboy Bebop, Monster, or any show that requires subtitles, all while simultaneously lifting your spoon or fork (btw Fork here does not have anything to do with the knight). In this kind of state or frame, it can be difficult to notice when one is lifting their spoon or fork (same as before). It's a different level of concentration, focus, and dissolution.
In chess, the game requires a great deal of flow state. However, I think it's improper to exclusively associate it with chess because sports like football, badminton, and video games like FIFA also demand a flow state to excel. It's about being fully present or "being there" as they say these days. In chess, one needs to anticipate their opponent's moves and understand their strengths and positions well, while also watching out for weak pieces and gaps within the game as it progresses. It's like an art of war situation(an overused example)—constantly on guard and aware of one's environment.
I sense that there are different states of flow within chess. One can be felt while playing on a physical board (that is, in person), and another while playing online (on platforms like chess.com or Lichess). In a casual board game, the flow state seems much higher, perhaps due to the physical presence of the opponent, the absence of chess.com ratings in that space, or the tactile feel of the pieces. However, when playing online, one might be distracted by other activities, fixated on ratings, amused by a funny avatar, or curious about their opponent's flag (especially if you know only three countries like humble self). So, because online chess can be addictive, there's a high tendency to open the app when bored or seeking mild mental challenges. In this mindset, achieving the desired state of flow may be difficult.
I have a limited knowledge of flow and what flow means – so thinking of it as something to be achieved may be wrong too. Perhaps it's a gradual process that gains momentum, starting from concentration, leading to focus, and ultimately resulting in complete physical dissolution. But there may also be levels to this dissolution.
A piece is a piece—so I'm just thinking out loud.
