OTB (Over The Board) Chess
Are you familiar with the term over-the-board (OTB) chess? It is a term every chess player should know. Here are the important details:
- What Is OTB Chess?
- Differences Between OTB And Online Chess
- Getting Ready For OTB Tournaments
- Wrapping Up
The most prestigious OTB games are played in a world championship. In this photo, GMs Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi shake hands after their eighth game in the 2021 match. Photo: Maria Emelianova/Chess.com.
What Is OTB Chess?
Over-the-board (OTB) chess is a term that refers to games played by players who travel and play in person. In contrast with correspondence (by email or postal mail) and online games, OTB games are played without any mail or computer assistance.
Differences Between OTB And Online Chess
There are quite a few differences between OTB and online chess. Most are obvious but a few are very subtle. Here are the major differences:
Touch-Move Rule
The touch-move rule is critically important in OTB games. If a player touches a piece, that piece has to be moved if a legal move can be played. The touch-move is not applicable to online games because players do not “touch” pieces; until a move has been completed by releasing the piece being touched on a new square, a player can still make any legal move. Learn more about the touch-move rule in this ChessKid video.
The touch-move rule is a basic rule of OTB tournament chess.
Recording Move
Another major difference is that moves are automatically recorded during online games such as on ChessKid. These games can easily be analyzed and preserved for future reference. When a game is very intense, having the moves recorded automatically in chess notation can reduce the stress on a player because sometimes they may forget to record a move and then their record is not accurate. Obviously, moves in OTB games need to be recorded manually by the players on a notation sheet. Learn more about chess notation in this ChessKid video.
Peshka Wants You To Record Your Moves Using ChessKid Score Sheet!
Pre-Moves
In online games, a player can often select their next move when the opponent has yet to make a move. This feature is known as making a pre-move. It is not relevant for OTB games.
Illegal Moves
With games played online, chess platforms such as ChessKid prevent illegal moves, such as moving a piece to a wrong square or ignoring a check. In OTB games, players must be alert to make sure that an opponent plays only legal moves.
Clock Use
During online games, a chess clock is always running because every game is played with a time control and a player doesn’t have to press a clock when they make a move. In contrast, OTB games may be played with or without a clock. However, when a clock is used, a player has to press it after moving a piece to complete the move.
At rated OTB tournaments, a chess clock is indispensable. Every player should take one. Check the ChessKid Shop and review the selections if you need to order one.
Time Controls
Time controls for rated OTB games, particularly in tournaments, are usually slower than those used for online games, which feature many bullet, blitz, and rapid time controls.
Online games typically have a time control feature known as an increment that designates a number of seconds that is added to a player’s time after a move has been made. In contrast, OTB games may have a time delay feature, which means that the clock does not begin to count down when a player’s move begins until after the number of seconds of the delay.
ChessKid offers three time controls for fast games: 5, 10, and 15 minutes. Slow games on ChessKid can be played over days or even weeks. Learn the difference between fast and slow games on ChessKid in this article.
Physical Sensation
In an OTB game, a player can see and touch each piece individually. In contrast, during an online game, a player touches only a mouse or a mouse pad. Opponent In an OTB game, a player always meets and knows the opponent. In contrast, for games played online, players may be known by only their user identifications, and opponents may not be known or identified otherwise.
When players in an informal OTB game know each other, the game has a social aspect as well unlike online games where the contact between players may be only the chat function if one is available.
Depending on the website being used, opponents of similar strength are typically matched in online games (unless the event is an arena with many players) unlike in OTB games when the strengths of the players may not be equal.
Check/Checkmate/Stalemate
All the chess rules related to check, checkmate, and stalemate are the same regardless of whether a game is OTB or online. However, in online games such as on ChessKid, check, checkmate, and stalemate are all identified by the server unlike in OTB games where the players need to be alert to these conditions, much like they need to be attentive to illegal moves.
Adjournment
Adjournment is a chess term that means a game that has been underway for a long time is suspended until the next day or another time. However, most OTB tournaments now avoid adjournments to prevent players from using chess engines before the game continues again. Much like pre-moves, adjournment is not relevant for online games.
Manners And Etiquette
For both OTB and online games, manners and etiquette are important, such as being a good winner as well as a good loser when a game ends. For each format, don’t say anything that might offend your opponent. In particular, avoid negative expressions, and don’t belittle or try to intimidate an opponent.
FunMasterMike says, Be a good sport.
For online play, ChessKid’s rules for fair play govern how games are played on its server. Learn more about ChessKid’s rules for behavior in this article as well as in this video.
For OTB games, greet your opponent in a pleasant way before the game begins. If you are playing in a rated tournament, ask a tournament director to clarify any rule or procedure if you have a question or concern, and notify the director if an opponent’s behavior is not acceptable.
Getting Ready For OTB tournaments
Tournament Checklist
For OTB tournaments, always take a standard-size chessboard and pieces even if the organizer indicates that sets and boards are provided. In addition, bring a chess clock if you have one. For rated tournaments, also bring your identification card for the appropriate federation, such as U.S. Chess Federation, and be prepared to pay an entry fee. To be prepared for a rated OTB tournament, download ChessKid’s tournament checklist. Being prepared for a tournament online is much simpler.
Is OTB Harder Than Online Chess?
Some players are better in online chess than they are in OTB chess, and they adapt more readily to the time controls common in online games. Other players are more successful in OTB games, and they adapt more easily to playing in person. Definitely, the longer time controls characteristic of most OTB tournaments require more focus over a longer time and a different level of preparation than playing in fast online games.
Wrapping Up
Now you know what OTB chess means and how it differs from online games. Each format is enjoyable. Appreciate chess more by playing in each one.
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