Pacers vs Sitters: Two Thinking Styles at the FIDE Candidates Tournament
At the FIDE Candidates Tournament, every move matters. But what’s even more interesting is how players think during the game. Top chess players don’t just calculate moves. They also have unique habits and thinking styles at the board.
After closely observing the games, players can be divided into two types: Pacers and Sitters.
What is a Pacer in Chess?
A pacer is a player who prefers to think away from the board. They often walk around the playing hall between moves. This helps them relax and reset their mind.
Pacers stay physically active. They believe movement helps them think better. This style is very common in top-level chess tournaments.
What is a Sitter in Chess?
A sitter is the opposite. They remain seated and focused on the board almost all the time. They calculate deeply without moving much.
Sitters stay visually connected to the position. They rarely leave their chair during the game.
Famous Pacers at the Candidates
One of the best examples of a pacer is Javokhir Sindarov. The tournament leader often walks confidently around the hall between moves. He looks completely relaxed and in control.
Anish Giri is another well-known pacer. He is often seen walking with his hands behind his back. Sometimes, he even plays with captured pieces while thinking. He once joked that he accidentally carried pieces back to his hotel room!
Fabiano Caruana has his own unique habit. He often stands in front of the big screen showing all ongoing games. It sometimes looks like he is preparing for future opponents!
Hikaru Nakamura also moves around a lot. He appears calm on the outside, but his mood changes depending on the position.
Famous Sitters at the Candidates
The perfect example of a sitter is Wei Yi. His focus is incredible. He barely moves during the game. He stays completely locked in, only adjusting his glasses occasionally.
His style is similar to quiet sitting meditation, known as Jingzuo. This method was used in ancient China to develop deep focus and calm thinking.
R Praggnanandhaa also follows a calm and composed approach. He is known for staying relaxed under pressure. In fact, he attended the Inner Engineering Program at the Isha Yoga Center in 2022. He even asked Sadhguru about handling tension during tough games.
Other sitters include Matthias Bluebaum and Andrey Esipenko. However, Esipenko sometimes walks around early in the game, especially after surprising his opponent.
Which Thinking Style is Better?
There is no perfect answer. Both styles work at the highest level of chess. It depends on the player’s personality and comfort.
- Some players think better while walking
- Others perform best with complete focus at the board
That said, Sindarov’s strong performance may suggest that the pacer style has its advantages.
Final Thoughts
Chess is not just about moves. It is also about mindset and thinking style. Whether you are a pacer or a sitter, the key is to find what works best for you. Understanding these styles can help improve your own game and focus during tournaments.
Photos: Michal Walusza, Yoav Nis, FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
