Introduction to the Group

Hello all, and welcome to this study group. 

Before I say anything else, I call this group mine, but it really couldn't have happened without the very kind Karnakatz, who made the group, and DierdreSkye, who organized it. Many thanks to both of them, and I hope they get something out of this.

Also, it wouldn't be much of a group if it were just the three of us, so I would like to heartily thank you for deciding to join!

With all that said, here is the outline of how I see the group running...

1) Lower rated players get a chance to play higher rated players.
One of the best ways to improve is to play against people who are better than you. Cutting your teeth on a seemingly immovable wall and seeing why you're losing is a great way to fix mistakes. Unfortunately, many people don't get that opportunity as much as they might like. This group aims to cater to that, with a wide spread of ratings. (Not all of your games HAVE to be with someone way higher or lower rated than you. That makes it an obligation, which isn't fun, especially you're a higher rated player and you feel like you HAVE to play all these less strong players all the time.)

2) An analysis area.
Let's say you play a really good, interesting game, either with someone in this group, or outside, and you want to share it, but you really don't want to deal with trolls or, worst of all, resounding silence. This is a place you can submit your game to be analysed by a mature and active group. (I'm crossing my fingers that this group remains active.) So, just as if you've played a game and want to share it, if you've some time feel free to mosey on down here and have a look at what people have posted. (There's a lot of trolling to sift through in the deep dark forest of the public forums. Here, we're all eager to learn.)

3) Please keep it mature and civil.
In the forums, you see a lot of snobbish mudslinging, people disparaging and degrading other people, either about how they played or other less relevant things. This is not to mention the many forum members who live under bridges and wait for little sheep to pass by over head. This is exactly what I don't want to happen here. We're all here to honestly learn. You can provide honest commentary and analysis, but there is always a way to do it kindly. ("I don't like this move because it doesn't seem to do anything" instead of "This was stupid and pointless.")

That's pretty much all I had in mind for the group, but I would not be unhappy to see it grow in other ways as well.

Let the party commence!

Yeah! 

I would like to add that you shouldn’t repeat what the others have already said. That’s unimportant, happens all the time in the public forums, and is pointless. What is said is said.

Of course if an idea is very, very important it's good to stress that but beating a dead horse can get old. We'll play it by ear.