A very strong player once asked me two questions that made me see chess in a different way. I have just made these questions to a friend of mine who needs some help to improve. But I thought I could share them with all my coleagues here in lichess. I'm gonna give you some time to think about them and answer. Then I'll be back and give the expected answers.
In what sense is chess similar to tennis?
In face of such similarity what kind of moves must a chess player choose to get advantages?
This is a very interesting question and the truth is there are some similarities
a) tennis is a one to one game ( most of the time)
b) tennis players are usually nerds just as chessplayers
c) tennis has produced some great trolls( Agasi, Djokovic) and so has chess
d)female tennis players are just as good as women in chess
and many more...
but the interesting part is what is the difference between tennis and chess
a)in chess when it is the opponent's move you can think but you can't alter the position, in tennis you can move and anticipate the next shot
b)a chess player can be overweight , drink alcohol every other night, smoke like a chimney and can still be a very good player, but a hangover chubby boy would not achieve that much in tennis
c)tennis players are pretty good at running, but there is no evidence that the same is true for chess players
d)tennis players get paid quite a bit more so if you have a career choice between tennis and chess , you know what to pick
e) one of the biggest parts in chess is its theory ( opening theory, middlegame theory etc...) . Even if there is something similar in tennis like "tennis theory" it cannot be that large
g) there are no robots in tennis which can humiliate the best tennis players by playing better than them as it is with the engines in chess
In general one may find some similarities or not, but the truth is tennis is sports and chess is a mental game, so its only natural they are quite different :)
MorningCoffe, LOL... some funny considerations. And you got close to what I want.
As a hint for future tries, it's something to do with the way the game is played and the rules.
But you need to answer the second question, too. I's the most important part. Just to be clear, these are not futile questions. You can learn a very important thing about chess when you get the correct answers.
yeah, it was a troll post:)) I forgot to mention that Serena Williams=Judith Polgar :)
I think I understand where you want me (us) to go, but the thing is I don't think it is that simple
My guess: In tennis you want to pressure the opponent so he does not have easy returns back at you.
In a sense you want to restrict his options and the same is true for chess
you want to play the ball which is the most awkard for him to meet and so happens sometimes in chess
But the thing is, that especially in higher levels of chess, you often do not pressure the opponent at all, you leave him with seemingly plenty of choices, which many of them might prove not so good later in the game and you just play a little move that improves your position
These "little" moves do not exist in tennis
And if we go even further in this topic, sometimes you have to make a no-move. A move which improves nothing, but it does not worsen your piece coordination.
Nice! But I'm not commenting this time. Let's give an opportuniy to our other colleagues.
Anticipation of your opponent next move is very important in all sports and game including chess. In tennis one also apply deception in one's execution of the stroke. In chess one also apply decoy and Imho this only happen in very level of chess games because the chess board and pieces are out in the open for everyone to see. Imho tennis is more difficult to play because tennis involve mental and physical strength and stamina. If one is exhausted in strength and stamina it will affect one's will to win.
It's generally a good idea to let out a stress releasing and fear inducing scream after each strike or move. This should generally be paired with aggressive moves in both games. QED!
#7 This cannot be done in chess in a hall but comical in tennis like what John M....... done? I do not know how to spell this great tennis champion name. bye friends.
Hum, like in tennis, if you have an injury, you can't play ?
Like, « Oh my god, my ankle is broken, it's impossible for me to play chess now, I give up. »
Fischer claimed that one ought to be in good physical shape to play well, but this was only his way.
There is no One Right Way.