Bird's eye view

Undeniably (at least for me), it's best to play chess if you have a clear view of the board (unless you're playing blindfold, of course).


As we know it, Filipino players -- due to our inherent medium body structure -- use double-padded monoblock chairs when playing in tournaments to see the game from a bird's eye view.


No wonder why the 'mirons,' the ones wathching the games in standing position, see the game better than the ones who are actually playing.


It's really interesting to note that I had this actual experience of wacthing the grand finals of the Shell National Youth Active Chess Champioship 2008 from a perfect bird's eye view.


Since the event was held at the ground floor of SM Megamall, I went up to the second floor, and presto, what a view to behold! I was able to watch a lot of games clearly from one location.

Just imagine that you're one of those chess fans watching from the second floor.

This is the view from the second floor -- a perfect bird's eye view!