Idiom about being in it but not noticing it

The authorities are obsessed; the bystanders are clear. The authorities and bystanders originally referred to people who played chess and watched chess; later they were used to describe the parties involved and the bystanders. The people involved often think too much about the pros and cons and become confused when looking at the problem; the bystanders can see clearly because they are calm and objective.

Bystanders know better than those involved. The authorities are obsessed

The authorities are obsessed, and the bystanders are clear. The authorities: the people who play chess; the bystanders: the people who watch chess. The person involved was confused by what happened, but the bystanders saw it clearly.