Greetings all-

So, a question from someone trying to be tactful...  I'm playing an online game, and my opponent makes what I consider a huge blunder.  Now, I like this site for many reasons, some of which are that people are friendly, helpful, all about learning, etc...  So, I don't want to come across like, "hey,dumb@ss, that was a huge blunder, you should have done this."  Lord knows I've made many myself and will keep making more...  But, I'd also hope, I think, that someone might point out my own blunders when they occur so that I don't overlook them, and might learn from them.

I'm wondering what others do in such a situation...  Do you point out mistakes when you see them, or just assume that your opponent will figure it all out in due course?

Tactful goes with silence.  If it's a huge blunder he probably knows it anyway, and there's an analysis forum for tips.

I wouldn't point out blunders with sage advice on what should have been done unless specifically invited to by the opponent.

let him do it...mya divce as the often 'blunderer'...i hate people who 'point out mistake' unless i ask beforehand

Nice topic you raised Tolob. well, sometimes when there's a potential combination or a nice sac i suddenly see, that my oponent doesn't execute and plays a normal move instead (not a blunder), i state it. but i don't correct him in case of a blunder, maybe because i think that may hurt him or something...that's my humble opinion i donno if anyone else agrees with me?

Thanx

Mehdipiero

In some ways, I think it's more rude to point out those missed opportunities because there's a very good chance that your intentions will be misconstrued and come across as condescending. 

It's best to say nothing unless your opponent initiates the conversation in which case it's best to make light of the error rather than launching into a detailed analysis of your opponents failings.

Generally speaking (not only about chess), very few can see one's own faults, and the vast majority gets angered if you point out their mistakes.

On the other hand, advice is like a drug in the market, whose supply exceeds its demand!

One should talk about others' mistakes only when asked, otherwise never. On the other hand, one should always appreciate other's good moves. Dale Carnegie has said in "How to win friends and influence people" - "always appreciate".

Tolob--only in a teacher/student type of game.  Otherwise, zip it, zip it, zip it, zip it, zip it...  ;)

Tolob, if you see me mess ask me what in the world was I thinking.  I am here to learn.  I type in a couple of ??'s if they did something I don't get.  I don't think I have offended anyone, but I am usually the one making the mistakes... :)

I would think it all depends on how you go about phrasing and who you are playing, it is a tricky one, personally I would not be phased as long as it wasnt along the lines of "hey dumb*ss" comments :)

If it were me I would probably not say anything but if it was an opponent particularly weaker than me then I might ask after the game has finished if they were interested in discussing the game, this way you give them the opportunity to simply say no/ignore you, or say yes, then you can begin to discuss certain moves in question.

It would probably be wise to ask anybody first rather than impose your opinion on your opponent as not everyone is interested in game analasis and some people also do not take losses well and simply do not want to linger on the game at all.

I think it's best to ask *after* the game if he or she is interested in looking the game over. If so, great. If not, no harm. They'll learn about the blunder soon enough, obviously

Best thing you can do is simply point out the blunder by winning. If your opponent does not learn a lesson from the mistake, pointing out the blunder would not have been met kindly anyway.