What is the benefit of it? I've never played, as I find the idea unappealing. Surely, the forums would degenerate into bickering? What if a tiny minority of participants are correct, but the majority blunders? Is that not maddening?

I could be wrong. Please explain the appeal and merits of vote chess.

ED.

i agree ED

Well, the vote chess games I've been involved in so far had very little bickering, and quite a bit of insightful commentary. The good games get a culture where the people who accompany their comments with concrete analysis get respect.

It is irritating when so-called "drive-by voters" (don't read the comments, hardly think, vote immediately) vote for a blunder. This can be mitigated somewhat by having many people involved in the forum discussion, coming to a consensus, and then making it very clear on the top post in the discussion what the consensus choice is. But still it happens. So it goes.

It's especially irritating when there are, say, four good moves and one obvious move that is a blunder. The four moves may get 15% of the vote each, the blunder 20% and random misc moves divide the rest. Good moves get 60% of the vote but lose. That's why the consensus is important.

Scarblac,

Thanks for your response. But what do you get out of it? Why is it worth doing?

I have never liked vote chess because the vote of a 1000 beginner counts the same as the vote of a 2600 GM . Does this make any sense to anyone ?! Well, if everyone is using fritz I guess it makes some sense, but is that allowed ? 

My point exactly. Now, if there was a ratings bar for entry, it would make sense (in both directions), but there does not seem to be. Sounds like a nightmare to me.

For me, the point is to compare my view of the position with other people's views. It's group analysis with a vote at the end. Regularly eye-opening for me.

 Is it improving your chess?

That's quite impossible to answer -- I can't track anything I do directly to improved performance in OTB chess. Probably the ten or so games I've been somewhat involved in so far haven't mattered a bit.

Let's say I'm quite sure it's better for my chess than all that forum posting I do :-)

I like vote chess. In the games I have been involved in, there has been no bickering, and generally the best moves have been voted for. I think a major benefit of vote chess is that weaker players gain an insight into what better players are thinking, ie. why move X is better than move Y. I usually follow what the higher rated players in the group suggest, if they are clear as to why their move is best, and it helps me get a better understanding of positions. 

If you want to start loving vote chess.... please take a look here... I am sure that you will change your mind.

Do you like vote chess?