I thought I might be a good idea to make a sticky topic on the challenges - just to give people a place to give feedback to the admins as to vote and team match challenges. Are there too few, too many? Wrong types of challenges? Is there some particular type of challenge you'd like? Themed challenges (starting with some set opening variation)? Different time limits? Something else?

Here's the place for ideas.

Great topic Stegocephalian. I'll give it some thought myslef and look forward to seeing what others have to say.

If it's up to me, you can set up some more challenges and a few more vote games.
I'm also perfectly happy with the pace we're now at, though.

I love to play lots, so If you want to do more challenges I will play. (If not I play in the other teams i am with).

Go for it!!

Never played vote games, have not seen the point jet.

rdietl - glad to hear you're eager to play!  

I also suggest you give vote chess a try - it can be really interesting, and educational, not only because of the analysis of positions with with experienced players, but also because it exposes you to opening variations and ideas you might not normally play.

ok, lets try one

Congrats heathens!  We won our first Team Match against KING OF KINGS!

Yay!

I am always hesitant to join our tournaments because I'm so embarrassed about losing for our side. I am on the lowest rungs on the Godless ladder. Lord knows -- oops! I meant "We all know" -- that I mean well, but I simply am not tournament material.

But I am trying harder and harder and harder. Thanks to all of you who have been giving me tips. Trouble is, when I get to the computer, I just want to play, play, play, so I rarely take the time to study.

Anda, don't worry about losing - it's not that serious. Participate away, as much as you like!  

If you do worry though, then I'd suggest joining in on the vote chess games (if you haven't already); there you can learn a lot by the discussions on the moves, and if you don't get why someone's promoting one move rather than another, you can ask and have it explained to you. A good way to learn.

Playing does tend to be more fun then studying, but if you want to motivate yourself and learn in a way you'll be likely to enjoy, I'd recommend picking up a copy of chessmaster (Is it the 11th instalment that's the latest?), and making use of the learning tools included - going through the lessons by Josh Waitskin especially. They are really interesting, not dry at all - Josh is a very good, engaging teacher.

yeah less vote more challenges. Challenges are super good for exposure to higher rated players.

I agree. More team matches!

I generally like to sign up for both here, as this groups' team matches tend to result in my facing opponents of a much higher rating than myself, and the vote chess games are very instructive.

never got into vote chess, but i can play in any team matches you want to throw at me

I think vote matches are very interesting and fun. At least there should be one or two vote matches running at any time. =)