Game-time.us.com , Use Psychology to Win at Chess?

Question

Have you watched any tennis or snooker recently. How many times have you seen the players stop dead before the serve or take a shot because someone in the crowd has coughed or flashed their camera. All these years practicing and a small noise can put them off so much that they refuse to play until the noise has abated. What has this got to do with chess strategies? Well I do not condone trying to put your opponent off but I have studdied psychology at university and know that very small changes in behaviour can have a detrimental effect on your opponents concentration. And to me this is all part of the chess strategies we can use.

Here is an example. I played the other day against a player I know all to well. He attacks with his bishops, usually both on the same file and this can be devastating against an opponent. Now if you have read my previous essays you will have noted that I go against the grain and like to take at least one of my opponent's Knights out when I get the chance

Answer 1

I have to disagree.  Instead of wasting time with psychological stuff that may or may not help, time spent studying classical opening and endgame theory will help you play better against all opponents.  Spend some money and buy some of the good books on learning theory as well as the Chess Informant, which is the conpendium of games played by the best players.  However, and here is a bit of psych, NEVER discuss your preparations with your opponents.  Keep your prep a secret lest you give your opponents counterintelligence.

Answer 2

Is pyschological warfare a "fair" tactic in Chess? Yes.

Is pyschological warfare a "respectable" tactic in Chess? No.

Basically.. employing such a tactic is the equivalent of saying:

"I cannot win on the game board."

Answer 3

I knew a guy with glaucoma who if you fianchettoed both bishops he'd lose track of them in a long tactic because he could not see te whole board.  It felt better to not win that way.

Answer 4

Subtle movements, twitches body movement can all be used to "effect" subliminaly" the consentration of an opponent a chess match. Is it fair?,I think it is,after all, you are playing the "person". Effecting his game is a strategy in war!