i think they need to redo the trophies too and i like many of the suggestions posted.  i give alot of tacos out, i think after a game of chess people need someting to eat and nothing is better than a taco.  i give the good game and good sportsmanship trophies out alot to when applicable

Well the point is quite valid. The name "TROPHIY" should be replaced by some other appropriate name like, "AN AUTOMATED SHORT MESSAGE"

I think the Trophy feature is a way of showing sportsmanship , it reminds me of what footballers do after a contest when they exchange kits.

more suggestions:

When you win:

That was easy!

Thanks for being a patsy/jobber.

Did you know this wasn't checkers?

When you lose:

If this was in person, I'd punch you.

It's amazing that despite how bad you played, I played worse.

Would you like to play again? Because I'd hate to.

i like that idea will use it

They are Facebook-esque "Free Gifts" are they not?  I mean, a lot of them don't really seem to have *anything* to do with chess games.

"Enjoy a Taco" ?

Sometimes, I use them (or have them used on me) almost as a form of trash talk.  A friend (who definitely isn't a mentor/coach of mine) once sent me a "Great Student!" trophy and wrote a note on it about "many hard lessons to come."

Most of my friends are jerks, incidentally.

Trophies are meant to be given to everyone (winner and losers) to aknowlegde to the other player that it was a good or enjoyable game to play. Also, the trophies are not all geared around the winners (Good Game, Good Sportsmanship, Fishy Play, Novelty Alert, Strikiningly Strong Play, I Want a Rematch, Mental Relaxation, Great Defence, Strong Fortress, Exhausting Game, Moving Up, Game Imprint, a-MAZE-ing, Inventive Game, Surprise Ending, Small Difference, and Chance) are all trophies that don't have to be given to the winner.

ADK

I think the trophies are fun and funny and can have almost any meaning one decides to impart upon them.

Sometimes I am not sure what the intent behind some of them is but that just makes them more fun.

Fishy Play and Precise Calculation seems to be particularly layered.

True

Sounds like a good idea.

In have a gazillion good sportsmanship trophies, all of them for resigning lost games. I never know how to respond to them. I don't really get by what standards sportsmanship is measured. Ah well, if you ever get a trophy from me, you can feel really special, I don't give many.

You have a point

Giving out trophies to deserving opponents is the right thing to do.  It is my way of showing appreciation to their ubber good chess skills, or simply put,  ubber good sportsmanship.

i think it's funny that people think this topic needs discussing.

The Chuck Norris trophy is the badddest.

well I give out my trophies win or lose in a online turnbased game just because you have so long to look at it that that errors should be few. Live chess you would have to make an incredible comback or just flat out destroy me to get a trophy.

Remind me never to play a game with you, Snakesbelly!

I give trophies when something does something surprising, resourceful or particularly helpful or friendly.