2026 Daily Chess Championship - Day 2

The second Day of this Year`s DCC is coming to an End. At least here in good old Europe. Our Friends in the Americas still have some time to make Moves. As I am writing this (8.45 PM Central European Time), roughly 17.000 Games have already ended. That are 2.8% of all Games in Round 1. And that made me think.

I. Resignation versus Timeout

The Tournament Page gives us an Overview, how many of the finished Games were closed due to Timeout. Right now, that Number is still Zero. But as of roughly 10 PM CET the first Wave of Timeouts will begin, when the Groups reach their first 24 Hours of Existence.

I would like to see something similar for all the Games that were finished by the Players resigning, before making the first Move. Although I have no exact Data, I would assume, that the Majority of the aforementioned 17.000 Games were finished due to Resignation.

I would be curious about why this happens. Why sign up for an Event and then not participate in it? One of the Reasons may be, that People might be afraid to compete with other People in a Tournament, where Points are counted and the Elo may change. And that a bad Performance may reflect poorly on Themselves and hurt their Standing within the Community. At least that was a Sentiment, that I saw in quite some Posts the recent Days.

I would like to say to all these People: Do not be afraid. This is just a Game. Just imagine, that you are sitting around a Table with many Friends, playing a Boardgame. Sure. There may be a "Winner" at the End. But do you think less of your Friends, that did not win? I do not think so. It is the same here. We are all playing to have Fun. Or at least whe should. Wins or Losses, an increasing or decreasing Elo are just meaningless Numbers that say nothing about your Skills or you as a Person and your Character. 

As you know, I am on a Mission to obtain all Passports. Today I got my 21st in a rather sad Way, because the Person disappeared without me having a Chance to play with him (or her). 

II. Daily versus Rapid

But among these 17.000 Games were also those, that actually got played until Checkmate or one of the Players resigned, because the Situation had gotten hopeless. And I have to admit, that I am kind of baffled by this.

I am in my 50s and contrary to 30 Years ago, I like to play slow Games. "American Truck Simulator" instead of "Call of Duty", if you catch my Drift. Playing Daily Games is perfect. I don`t have to sit down and play through a Game in one Session. I can go to sleep and then to work and when I come Home, I can do my Chores. And after that I can sit down and have some really intensive Thoughts about what my next Move will be. Not that I necessarily pick the best Move according to Stockfish, but I can take all the Time I need to ponder my Options.

Realizing, that People participate in a Daily Match and play it as a Rapid Match is bewildering. What are you doing? Where is your Mother?

Of course I am just joking. Please play in whatever Way makes you comfortable. All I am saying is, that this Tournament is an Opportunity to experience Chess as a contemplative, Zen-like Activity. Because sooner or later you get to an Age, where you appreciate this Aspect. Whether you see that as relaxing Promise or terrifying Threat, is up to you.

Good luck with all your Games and I see you out there.