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Playing Chess Online vs Over-the-Board Chess

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6 min read

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Last updated: Oct 07, 2025

Two players enjoying a chess match comparing chess with other board games

Playing chess online vs. over-the-board chess has been one of the topics that made many chess lovers argue over it because many feel that online chess is better, and some think that classic board chess is the real chess.

Chess never has been and never will be a game of strategy and talent alone. Men and women have come together for hundreds of years in clubs, parks, and living rooms to sit facing each other and push wood pieces around a board. This old-fashioned way is called over-the-board chess, or OTB.

Now all is quite different. Laptops and smartphones have meant that anyone can play a game in seconds. No need to leave your home. Simply log on to a site, and you are ready to go. That is the online boom for chess.

FAQs

  • Both options are beneficial in their own ways. Online play offers convenience and practice, while over-the-board play enhances focus and experience.

  • Online games offer speed and flexibility, while in-person games provide opportunities for pressure, patience, and human interaction.

  • No, digital chess can not replace traditional chess, even though it is more convenient, because all the major tournaments are going to be held physically, not digitally.

  • Improved focus, discipline, sportsmanship, and excitement of live play. And so, where does the argu
     

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