Did you ever spend a few days playing a game with someone, and near the end of it (usually when it gets pretty clear who's going to win) the silence gets broken in the chat box and you find out that this opponent is a pretty cool person to chat with?

 I do all the time.  Yet, there seems to be some sort of initial barrier where chatting is presumptuous.  Maybe your opponent doesn't want to talk, and so, out of respect, no one breaks the ice.

 It caused me to realize there's a couple of levels of chess players.  Some are very much in it to hone their game, and that's pretty much the driving force.  And that's cool.  I want to hone mine, too, and Chess.com made a better player (though not an outstanding one, yet) out of me in short shrift.  The other kind comes here more to socialize with other chess players, and while honing their game is a nice fringe benefit, it isn't a driving force.

My question, dear readers, is which are you?  I'm the latter variety.  I often find myself wanting to chat it up but holding off because I don't want to presume the other person is a chatter.

What do you think? 

i'm social :) i'll work on becoming a master later in life (maybe in 5-10 years).

Depends how drunk I am. :-)

I like chatting too. It's a good way to improve my English and whenever is possible I try to talk in Spanish and French too, since I'm studying those languages.

I'm mainly here to play chess and improve my game, but I am more than up for a chat during a game. I don't want to be one those people that only try and get chess out of this, I'd love to make some lasting friends as well.

It's good to see I'm not alone!  I've recently played a couple of guys I'd like to go out for a beer with - one I met in a tourney - but they're always on other sides of the world :)

But at least we can play a fun game.  All of you hit me up for a game if you like.  I'm just JoeChess player, but we'll have fun.

chess is why i came ,but im a gobby extrovert so im always gonna chat! some people have gone in to the "tank" tho .thats ok if there is an explanation first, i was thinkin of setting a "chat disabled tourney up tho , just for the intensity it may bring

I'm like the latter except reversed,I came here to play chess,and chatting is the nice fringe benefit

I like to chat during my games, but i'm fine if the person would rather just play chess.

marysson wrote: i don't care to chat while playing chess. 

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 But that robs of the chance to experience your endearing personality!  Come on...we all love the game.  Embrace the friendships!!

Chess & chat.

phishcake5 wrote: Chess & chat.

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Me too.

I've met some truly amazing people through this site - genuine friendships wherein they're now on my MSN, Facebook and the like. I've actually spoken to quite a few people on the phone - it's great to put a voice to the face.

Rael wrote: I've actually spoken to quite a few people on the phone - it's great to put a voice to the face.

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I agree with the original post observation regarding your opponent, nevertheless I generally don't want to chat during a game (other than returning a greeting). I can do all the chatting (or typing) I want to do in the forums.

I like chatting with my opponents, but I will follow their lead after an initial greeting.  If it appears they don't want to talk, I will hold it down to a minimum.  And yes, some good friendships have developed, which I enjoy.  It is always nice to meet other people who share the same interests, and chess is no different.

@marysson  Classic.  Well played :)

Hmmm... Interesting, I'll have to say a little of both.

I'm very social; lol. I'm also fixated on the game!

ADK

Am a chatter to the max ......

prefer some wit and sarcasm thrown in for good measure too..... 

I'm a chatty cathy. Along the way I'm improving my game but have no aspirations. Sometimes the chat is about the game, helping each other out with understanding. That's fun too.