Why do I play so bad OTB?

While it theorietically should be the same, I always play a lot worse in person and I don't know why. Can anybody else relate or have something to mention? 

-ZombieBishop1

yes but it happens with digital boards too, as at home we often play with a tablet. but that is very interesting

Grunt. Tea is herbal anyhow, as in, by default.

"herbal tea" *palm face*

Real people are more resourceful than people on the other side of a screen. Even when they are the same people.

You've got no idea, obviously, what the word herbal means.

in otb, people have more time. This means they make better moves. And you're not used to that.

And thinking your Elo rating may make you smarter than anyone well, proves the idea just so wrong. Not mentioning mentally challenged players that can play better chess than most common people. But I'm outa here: I won't waste my time arguing with a subidiot.

because you're not an OG.

how did we go from chess to tea so quickly? also, elo has nothing to do with intelligence. anyway, the info helped a bit. any other ideas?

This is a question I have asked myself. The general reason is because of more familiarity with the 2D board rather than 3D set. There is more unpacking for the brain IMO to make those nice pieces people always crow on about in the equipment forums become logically 2d movers within the mind.

I notice that many players get right over the board and look down as though they are subconsciously faciltitating this mental process as well. I bet many online players only get a nasty shock when playing some old timers who only ever play with physical pieces. That's why IMO it's still worth working through positions at home with a set and pieces...although the temptation to copy/paste to a chess engine is very easy...

This is probably just your perception. When you're sitting face to face with your opponent losing a game can feel more impactful. That doesn't mean you are actually playing worse in person. Is it even possible to play worse than the way you play online? (far worse even?).

If it is indeed true that you play far worse when playing in person, maybe it's because of nervousness or stress. Especially when you don't know how to play chess, stress can make it worse.

Keep playing and practicing, maybe try to learn how to play chess. That might help you. Nerves play less of a factor once you have developed a better idea of how to find good moves or how to avoid blunders.

If you are playing OTB at a club or a tournament, you are facing someone who is much stronger than the average person you face online. Another forum a while back asked why the poster, at 1400, was at the 95th percentile on chess.com when they would be about 40th percentile in OTB.

Technically, tea is a herb

just sayin

although there is jiajia Liang Cha, which is a herbal tea.

basically, in technicality, it’s subjective.

And Elo rating is a measurement of chess skill, not intelligence as elo ratings were made for chess. IQ is a better measurement for intelligence

You’re likely playing in a familiar, comfortable environment (at home, at your desk) with minimal distractions.