Hello All,

I've seen plenty of topics about the advantages/disadvantages of playing online vs OTB. But I'm specifically interested in opinions and data that supports whether or not humans inherently play better OTB simply because our vision and geometric awareness has been developed over hundreds of thousands of years of evolution living exclusively in a 3D world?

In other words, do we naturally play better OTB because it reflects the real world visually or is it a learned thing and depends solely on what you where exposed to the most or first?

Personally, I seem to grasp what going on better OTB. 

Is there any data or evidence that suggests masters and amateurs alike, play better OTB?

And I'm talking mostly about slow/long games where random errors are less likely.

Thanks

I used to think it's whatever we're more used to. The evolutionary thing is interesting, but the game doesn't involve any... running and throwing or anything like that. It's a 2d game.

Then I started to think that people are naturally better online (or on a 2d board). Just my impression playing some blitz against people at the club, not only do I seem weaker, but they seem weaker than I'd expect online too.

But maybe I'm just imagining it, because you seem to think the opposite. One reason I think 3d is more difficult is the pieces obstruct our view of other pieces and squares. It's not easy to trace a diagonal with your eyes, for example, even if we're just talking perspective (the squares closer to you appear larger).

Interesting point but what I was referring to when taking about any natural tendencies toward 3d is that, from an evolutionary perspective, our geometric recognition abilities would very much come into play with pattern recognition required at the board.

I guess where you lost me is I don't understand how the geometry of the position any different when playing on a 2d vs 3d board.

OTB is 30 min. minimum for a regular rating in the USA and 60 minutes for FIDE and the extra time over online game rapid, blitz, or bullet time is an advantage to players with stronger tactical, strategic, and endgame knowledge because the players have more time to complete their thinking for each move.

So I would guess that it's harder for a weak player to get a high rating OTB than online.  Jeremy Silman estimates about a 200-300 point difference between OTB and online, online having higher numbers than the OTB equivalent.

Do Humans Naturally Play Better OTB vs Online?

Im curious. What other creatures play chess?

I find otb more distracting, people pushing past, hovering, watching, making noises, beathing, you name it they do it.  And thats just when you have a good position, the worse it gets the louder it all sounds

In OTB chess there may be more of an incentive to do well, whether that be prize money, a trophy, or a title which may cause someone to play better than online because they cannot afford to blunder

I haven't played OTB in ages, but when I did, I remember that the board being 3D actually made me see the position worse, because the pieces obstructed each other and the squares, and the squares appeared uneven in size when looking at an angle, skewing my perception of geometry. Also, having to press clock each time you make a move was a bit annoying, not to mention recording your moves.

On the other hand, in an OTB game you are entirely focused on the game, there are no distractions. While when playing online from your home, you might be listening to music, drinking hot tasty coffee, maybe even chatting with someone - these things apparently don't let you concentrate as much in a long game as you would do OTB.

Overall, I definitely prefer playing online, but, I suppose, OTB may be a good encouragement to improve in chess: you are going to want to perform really well when facing real opponents across the desk, rather than when playing some randoms on the Internet.

I find OTB easier likely mainly because I'm better at long time controls. My wife thinks that it is because most people naturally like me when they meet me in person, there is some personal interaction involved too, which is missing on-line....but that is just another idea/theory not certain about it.

Personally I prefer online chess. It is often frowned upon in OTB when you open a beer, light a smoke or listen to some background AC/DC. These things relax me and definitely improves my game. With online chess you also don't see the annoying little habits of your opponent and you are not subjected to bad breath , something which so many chess players seem to have and which can influence your game greatly.

Online play is fun, convenient and a good way to train. But I can't tell you the number of times I've had to quickly resign blitz games because of incidents that required attention with the kids, wife, etc. OTB is taken much more seriously, obviously. 90/30 is the time control I play most often and the games get very, very tense at times but in an enjoyable way. Much more excitement. In my case I'd say I'm not necessarily better OTB, it's just approached differently

Online play is fun, convenient and a good way to train. But I can't tell you the number of times I've had to quickly resign blitz games because of incidents that required attention with the kids, wife, etc. OTB is taken much more seriously, obviously. 90/30 is the time control I play most often and the games get very, very tense at times but in an enjoyable way. Much more excitement. In my case I'd say I'm not necessarily better OTB, it's just approached differently

No idea what's with the multiple posts. App still needs work

Since all (reasonable) repetitive tactics studying is done in 2D online or by reading "1001 checkmates yadda yadda yadda", it's actually the other way around.  Recognizing patterns would be easier in 2D.

Online chess serves as a way to learn and have fun.  OTB chess is by far better, IMO.  I take OTB games much more serious.  

There is still the feeling that OTB is real chess, while online is just for fun and not to be twken too seriously. If engines did not exist then maybe online play would be thought of more highly, but it really cannot be trusted to be honest 

If you wish to know which venue humans play best or their best games--it is naturally online.

Can't say if I did better, but I do know I preferred OTB more than online.