Chess and the Art of Anticipation: Lessons from American Football
Hey Impressive Chessers!
Since today is a rest day for the World Championship match, I wanted to get into something a little lighter and something I've been thinking about lately. Here in USA, American Football dominates TV/streaming ratings. Which got me wondering, how could a game that lasts 3+hours but only has ~12 minutes of actual gameplay, be so appealing to us? I think that a one of the secrets lies in the build-up. Every play could bring a game-changing touchdown, a brilliant defensive stop, or a momentum-flipping turnover. Fans stay hooked, not because of non-stop action, but because of the anticipation of what might happen next.
Contrast this with basketball. While thrilling and fast-paced, the constant scoring often blurs the emotional highs. A single basket rarely carries the weight of a game-winning touchdown. This dynamic offers a lesson for chess and its commentary: let the anticipation breathe.
Now before we got too far into the weeds, I want to give those that just want chess improvement puzzles an out:
Building Tension in Chess: Why Less is More
Chess is a game of infinite possibilities. A quiet pawn push could explode into chaos, a knight maneuver might uncover a deadly fork, or a "harmless" move might mask a devastating idea. The beauty of chess lies in these moments simmering below the surface. But if every move is hyped as monumental, viewers can become desensitized, and the narrative loses its grip.
People think that they would want every game to be like:
And they probably would...at first, for a time. But if every game was as trappy and swashbuckling as the above game, chess would become somehow shallow. Now I think it's important that a game could finish this way, but I find chess interesting because you never expect a game to end abruptly, so you don't see it coming!
Instead, great chess commentary builds tension naturally. Like American Football commentators highlighting why a 3rd-and-long is pivotal, chess commentary can emphasize the stakes of seemingly quiet moments.
Puzzle #2: How Would You Handle the Fishing Pole Trap
Answer
This approach lets audiences savor the drama and feel the weight of every decision before the fireworks start. Speaking of fireworks...
Puzzle #3: How did White Finish off the Fishing Pole from the end of Puzzle #2
The Thrill of the Unknown
Football thrives on unpredictability: a trick play, a crucial interception, or an unexpected 99-yard run can erupt at any moment. Similarly, chess's most thrilling moments often come when tension suddenly breaks—a pawn sacrifice, a surprise move, or an unexpected blunder.
Chess commentary can amplify this excitement by leaving room for possibility. Instead of rushing to conclusions, tease the audience with what could happen:
"If Black plays the tempting sacrifice:
Puzzle #4: ...could White sacrifice the bishop for a crushing attack?"
Even if the moment never comes, the suspense keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Conclusion: Excitement Needs Contrast
The idea that people crave constant action is a myth. Just like football keeps fans glued by mixing calm with bursts of intensity, chess becomes more thrilling when tension builds naturally. By resisting the urge to overhype every move and allowing the stakes to simmer, chess can create richer, more engaging narratives.
So let the moments build. Whether it’s a touchdown or a tactical breakthrough, the thrill often lies in the waiting.
Stay impressive!
NM Craig C.
linktr.ee/ChessToImpress
