I have so much trouble playing digital chess. For a reason that I’m sure cognitive scientists could explain, the two-dimensional top-view of the chess board makes me into a significantly poorer chess player.
As I see it, there are two solutions to this challenge.
First, as current chess masters have almost certainly done, I can make myself into a digital chess native. Play enough digital chess, and that’s how I’ll visualize the board and think.
Second, I can take the approach of my father, who’s been playing chess this year against a former colleague several states away. They’re playing a game on a digital platform, but he’s also got the chess board setup up near his chair. He considers the game on an actual physical board, makes his move, and then translates it into the digital move. When his opponent makes a move, he just needs to transfer it to his board.
Surely there is value in being a digital native. We all spend so much time now in the digital world, it would certainly be a shame to lose our effectiveness whenever we’re working digitally.
On the other hand, there is value in making an intentional shift to analog work as we tackle tasks – even ones that can be done purely digitally. Cognitively, emotionally, even physically–we can reap benefits from choosing non-digital solutions where we can.
Whether it’s composing away from the computer, reading a paper book, or walking or running outside instead of on a treadmill, I’m doing my best to choose analog versions of common digital work. I think it makes my brain work differently, and maybe better in some cases. If nothing else, it surely gives my eyes a much-needed screen break!