Over the next few posts, we’re diving into the raw, real, beautiful beast that is Over-the-board chess. Not the fast-food dopamine-hit you get from blitzing online — but the real stuff. The kind that builds skill, breaks ego, and rewires your brain. Let’s start here: Online, you can survive on tricks. You can win on speed. You can pretend to know what you're doing and let the mouse do the rest. But classical OTB? You’re fully exposed. Every move echoes. Every choice matters. This is where you actually learn to play. Ask yourself: When was the last time you sat still, focused, and let your ideas unfold over hours — not seconds? Drop your answers in the comment section!