Negotiation Strategy & Tips
Hello to all our members! In case you ever make your mind, willing to assist the club in our Not-So PRO endeavour, this is a must read article, so for our teams to maximize their effectiveness in this league. After you read this Article first, so to get a good idea of what NSPCL is all about, also have a go through the following rules:
1) Don't forget to visit at least once a day the Negotiations Thread!! Preferably, two or even three quick views would be better, on different day times (ex. morning, midday, afternoon). You could always leave the thread open in a mobile device browser's window and just refresh at any time, so the whole checking is only going to last for less than a minute.
2) Within your opening message, try suggesting all days and timeframes of your availability during the current round. In your following messages, always be precise about the game time you offer, so as to increase chances of having a game played at the end of the round, especially if your opponent is weaker in rating terms, not to lose the chance of scoring a whole point.
3) However, be extra careful to ensure you’ll be online and ready to play on the precise times you’ve already suggested, so that your opponent won’t claim a “Not Show”!! Even manage to set a reminder/alarm clock if needed, so you can be online on time!
4) In case you haven’t posted an exact time and regardless of whether your opponent doesn't manage to respond early enough, don't forget to revisit the thread during the timeframes you've already suggested, since statistically, it's likely that they will eventually show up, sending you a reply.
5) Try to post your opening message on day ONE of every round! It's important for the team to be able to show to the League Admins that we have the initiative, and we are eager to arrange our games, so that we can play them as soon as possible. In case your opponent hasn't shown up within three (3) days’ time (or on a set game-time) it's important to post again, immediately, showing your willingness to play.
6) Be ready to let your opponent know, when the set game-date has come, that you're online and ready to play.
7) After 30' mins have passed and your opponent hasn't shown up to play, post a message again to mention that, plus that you are no longer available to play, by clearly claiming a "Not Show".
8) If you've already posted twice, with several days having passed and only one (1) or two (2) days still remaining until the deadline, and your opponent finally shows up, asking for a game in their own terms of availability, you can always state that you've already tried to arrange a game with them, and that you won't be able to make it from now on until the deadline, or on the exact time frames they are suggesting. The same applies in case your opponent hasn't shown up for a long time, since after their first message. For that reason, avoid posting your availability for the last two days of every round, right from the start of negotiations.
9) Be aware to always suggest times in UTC format. In case your opponent states their local time (GMT, CET, PST etc.), write yourself the equivalent time converted in UTC within a confirmation post-reply, so to avoid misunderstandings and any unpleasant situation. In case you need to be sure, use a time-zone conversion tool, to avoid any crucial mistakes.
10) Prior to sending a challenge, make sure you've selected the 15|2 custom time control, since that's the games' duration for the current League. Likewise, when your opponent challenges you first, always check that they've selected the right time-control. DON'T accept the challenge if the time control is other than the appropriate one, and subsequently post a message to point out their mistake, asking them to create the challenge once more.
11) It's wise enough to always choose playing your games, during times you'll more likely have a good and reliable brain activity. Ideally, prefer days you won't have work/school, or too many responsibilities/activities. Also, avoid playing very early in the morning (before 7:00-8:00 local time) or much later at night (after 23:00 local time). In case your opponent insists on days or times you'll more likely won't perform well, it's your right not giving-in to their suggestions. Think strategically smart, assisting your team to get the best possible result.
12) You MUST post all your important messages within the Negotiations' threads! You can still send private messages to your opponents from time to time, if you wish so, but make sure to post the major ones within the thread!
13) Always check your in-game messages at least once a day. Your captain may try reaching you for an important matter, related to the Not-So PRO Chess League.
14) In case you already know that it's more likely you won't be available during a round (or for most of its duration), don't forget you have the right to ask your captain to look for a substitution. But please manage doing so since the very start of a round (during its first 24 hrs).
15) Whenever you find enough spare time, consider reading through both “Rules & Guidelines” and “Negotiation Tips” threads of Not-So PRO Chess League page, in case you haven’t done so yet. In there, you’ll find equally interesting information regarding the League itself, plus examples of effective negotiation practices, respectively. Also, make sure you have a quick read-through on the introductory message at the start of every round’s Negotiation Thread in case any changes have been introduced. It’s quite unlikely, but still, it’s best to be sure of that.
16) Avoid distractions, stay focused and keep your cool while playing your game to ensure you’ll perform your best chess and increase chances of winning it!! It’s also a good idea to play a training game or solve some puzzles prior to your official one.
17) Avoid playing any other games versus your opponent, except the official one, during the whole round’s duration and even until the official results are out. Some obvious reasons for that:
- you don’t want to reveal your game style to your opponent, along with your powers and weaknesses and
- in case you win your official game, but you lose or tie on any other rematches, your opponent might get tempted to claim a better result than defeat, within the Results’ Thread, posting the game link that benefits them instead.
18) The result of every game being played must be declared within every round's Results Thread, in order for any points to be awarded. By the way, there is an unwritten rule in NSPCL regarding who's posting in there. It's a tradition that the winner has the obligation of doing so, by carefully following the instructions they will find within the thread's introductory message. If a game ends as a draw it's enough even if only one player posts the result, but if desired, both players can post it for further confirmation.
19) NEVER negotiate or accept a challenge from your opponent past the deadline of a round! It’s most likely that it won’t be considered anyway, but still, show the League organizers that you respect the rules. Whenever you’re not aware of a round’s deadline, please make sure to search for that specific information on top of the intro message, within each Negotiations Thread.
20) Always treat your opponents with decency and fair play within negotiations thread, private messages, chatting and of course during games. Offensive, abusive, or cheating incidents may lead to your permanent disqualification from the League, with our team losing points, and could also result in your chess.com account getting banned.
21) Finally, don’t forget to get the most out of every League game, despite winning or losing, by analysing every single one of them!!
Once you've read all of the above and you're still interested to take part, you've only got to send me a personal message, asking to play for one of our WoLC-NSPCL teams.
