ALincoln Journal Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, Monday, November 04, 2002 - Page 20
Chess distractions: Is anyone paying attention?
Bobby Fischer, America's only world chess champion, was as famous for his unrelenting demands for distraction-free tournament conditions as for his unrelenting style of play. Fischer insisted that tournament rooms be silent and that spectators watch from a distance. The United States Chess Federation, America's governing body, was obviously not influenced by Fischer. Consider conditions at two national tournaments they hosted.
The 2001 Supernationals drew 5,000 scholastic players and crowned national champions in elementary, junior high and high school sections. All players competed in a single room as thousands of spectators filed past playing areas (some on roller skates), socialized openly in earshot of players and played hackeysac and other ball games. The tournament director even participated in a television interview a few feet from a championship match. The venue more resembled a shopping mall than a chess tournament. Supernationals was super chaotic.
The 2001 U.S. Open drew 400 players competing for the crown of U.S Champion. All players and spectators entered and exited the playing room through a single narrow doorway only a few feet from dozens of players. Moreover, getting to the doorway meant moving between several crowded rows of players. Traffic was heavy. About 35 people went through that door every minute. If this was not enough, spectators crowded between rows and watched games over players' shoulders.
Such conditions are appalling. Chess players must fully concentrate as they plan strategy and calculate possible moves. Research on attention, though, tells us that we can focus on just one thing at a time and that our best efforts to stay focused are easily diverted by other sounds and movements in our environment. THis means that long, mental calculations, often involving dozens of possible moves, are easily disrupted by milling or noisy spectators — even a creaking door — so that calculations must begin anew. Chess organizers like the United States Chess Federation should heed Fischer's long standing demands and provide distraction-free conditions. Chess is hard enough to play when conditions are favorable.
