how many players look at their opponent's reactions when playing OTB. Not only to their own moves but also their opponent's reactions to your moves. A realy obviouse example is where a player leaves a big piece 'en prize'. If he makes the move and then his eyes start darting around and he sweats chances are he didn't see is. If he smiles all cool like and sits back in his chair it might be a sacrifice that he considers sound (doesn't mean it is of course). Is it worth looking at your opponent when playing OTB? or is chess Chess, not Bragg and you should play the board?
I don't really look at my opponents reaction when playing chess. If they are having a long think i might glance at them every now and then just to make them a bit uneasy since they also do that to me. If they lost a piece i don't look at them and make them feel bad or anything however after i make a really good move which should end the game i do look at them after a minute or so to see if they realized that they lost.
Originally posted by jugglingeekToo many people know how to use this against you. I recommend not trying to read your opponent. I've only been in one tournament and I got raped though.
how many players look at their opponent's reactions when playing OTB. Not only to their own moves but also their opponent's reactions to your moves. A realy obviouse example is where a player leaves a big piece 'en prize'. If he makes the move and then his eyes start darting around and he sweats chances are he didn't see is. If he smiles all cool li ...[text shortened]... g at your opponent when playing OTB? or is chess Chess, not Bragg and you should play the board?
Originally posted by Tactical PlayWhile I agree with you to some extent when playing at a high level.
This isn't poker, play the board
But isn't it worth watching your opponent so that when they make what they consider to be a great move or a blunder.
All this stuff about 'playing the board' is bollocks. When playing chess you are playing an opponent. All opponents will have different styles of play. Different weeknesses different strengths. For example my only regular OTB opponent - my dad - uses bishops very well and develops pawns well but can't defend against knights and never gets his king into action early enough at the endgame.