These days, almost every chess player in Zimbabwe is online. Chess.com, Lichess, Blitz, Bullet games ari kutambwa zuva nezuva. But the big question is: is online chess really helping us improve over the board, or is it actually making us worse?
Honestly, it’s not a simple yes or no.
How Online Chess Is Helping Us
Let’s start with the good side. Online chess has done a lot for players, especially here in Zimbabwe.
First, access. You can play anytime, anywhere no need to wait for a tournament. Even with limited resources, you can play strong players from all over the world. That alone is powerful.
Second, practice volume. You can play 10 games in one evening. That’s something you’d never do over the board. For tactics, pattern recognition, and quick thinking, online chess really helps. Unoziva forks, pins, mates nekuti ukuzviona kakawanda.
Third, learning tools. Puzzles, analysis, lessons zvinhu izvi zvinoita kuti learning ive easier than ever before.
But Here’s the Problem…
Now let’s be honest 😅 online chess also has downsides.
Time controls are too fast. Blitz and Bullet dominate. You move fast without thinking deeply. Then you go to an over-the-board game, suddenly you don’t know how to use 90 minutes. Kufunga kwenguva refu kunenge kwakaoma.
Another issue is bad habits. Online, if you blunder, you just resign and start another game. Over the board, there’s no “new game” button. You must defend, suffer, and calculate properly. Many players struggle with this.
Also, concentration. Online you play while chatting, listening to music, kana multitasking. Over the board, it’s just you, your opponent, and silence. That switch is not easy.
So… Better or Worse?
The truth is online chess makes you better ONLY if you use it correctly.
If you:
only play bullet
never analyze losses
don’t practice long games
then online chess might actually hurt your over-the-board performance.
But if you:
play longer games online
analyze mistakes
study endgames and strategy
then online chess becomes a powerful tool.
The Balance We Need in Zimbabwe
For Zimbabwean players, online chess is a blessing but it shouldn’t replace real chess. Over-the-board games teach patience, discipline, psychology, and stamina. Online chess should support, not replace, that.
Chess hakusi kungokurumidza kufambisa pieces. It’s about thinking, planning, and surviving pressure.
Final Thought
Online chess is not the enemy. How we use it is the real issue.
If you want to improve, mix both worlds grind online, but respect the board.
Ko iwe unofungei? ♟️🤔
Is online chess making you better or worse over the board?
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