engine-chess

They are all using engines nowadays. Of course not during the games, this is not what I mean. But to analyze, to prepare, to comment.

It startet in the late nineties that people gave lines commenting games that just came out of nowhere. "Then white plays this und black plays this." No doubt about it. That were the moves -- and they were "correct", because they were engine-proof. In every broadcast they at least show the evaluation bar but also the commentator team seems to have a look at the engine lines - and they sometimes recite them.

Everyone seems to rely on that and turns thinking off. Also every game played is instantly checked with the engine. No time and no space for human thoughts. They "gave up to the engine." Hopeless to challenge it anywhere, so just look up the "right move".

I just address that here. What I prefer and what I consider useful for real improvement in chess: try to think yourself. You may check the engine afterwards. But not always check it before giving it an own thought. People are so impatient. "I just wanted to know..." They all say that. That is why they use it. It is like doing a crossword puzzle and filling it out with next days newspapers solution. What is the point? "I just wanted to know."

Think yourself! That is archaic? Not for me. Your thoughts on that?

You have a point but I don't think it's as bad as you say. I have often heard commentators on the major broadcasts try to avoid using the engine lines and evaluations. They repeatedly demonstrate contempt for "crazy engine lines."

They almost always are "crazy" nowadays. And humans do not find them. THe thing is also, that those players are sitting there -- and they are the best in the world -- and this whole world "knows" already what the best move is. Commentators say: "Is he gonna find it!" That is so silly and sad. They are not sitting there because they are not good enough. But they know the solution - like any viewer does. I would not play any more under these circumstances. My simple answer would be: "No, I do not find it. Sit down and play!"

It happens on streamers and YouTubers casts too. I have no doubt that some of them know all the lines and variations to each position, but I can never see what they are looking at until they rattle off like a 10 move engine line.. then I'm like ohh they really are a cyborg.

The way people play has greatly changed since the early 2,000s. People had to think up their own attacks or defenses. I see alot of pre moves and Instant line attacks that people have looked up. Half the time I feel like I'm just playing a bot these days. I think online chess is probably doomed due to cheating.