Maximizing game negotiation and avoiding forfeits.

Hello everyone!
 
In this thread I will go over some important aspects of game negotiation, showing some things people are used to do which are not the best approach and that slow down the game negotiation process, as well as a quick negotiation example where I'll describe every part of a perfect negotiation.
 
 
First of all, let's take a look at a perfect first post done by Chess.com Coach, Top Blogger and Streamer @KingsBishop, where he followed through with all the negotiation thread instructions:

The primary thing to notice here is that @KingsBishop is interested in playing his game, hence by applying the time windows concept he considerably broadens his opponent's chances of picking a time for their game, speeding up the negotiation process at max.
 
 
Now, let's take a look at a slightly acceptable, but never ideal example of a first post:

This could work, but you're not helping much. You did not give your opponent any margin via your first post, so in case he replies stating that he cannot do it that time, some week time was already gone with no progress made towards getting a game played.
 
 
And finally, let's go over a first post that we see a lot and which is totally wrong, where some people were only safe from a forfeit when their opponents didn't post anything in the thread:

When you post this, you're showing no effort in getting a game, since you didn't help with posting time windows for your opponent to pick from. Posting this is pretty much the same as posting nothing at all.
 
 
Another good example of a blank post would be:

Cool, you can play anytime. But if you had listed some times, your opponent could just pick from one of them, instead of having to list times himself. Again, it's about speeding up the process and reducing the time required for a negotiation. If you can play anytime, surely you can improve this one a bit as well:

Can you spot the difference? The first one didn't have time windows, so you'd have to wait for your opponent's times to make an agreement. The second one, however, has some of your times so your opponent can just pick from one of them and you'll have a game agreement already. Two steps instead of three. So in case anything happens and one of the players cannot show up, there's still time to try and find another time agreement for the game.
 
 
It is also important to mention that once you have listed your times, it is a fact that you are available for any of them, thus once your opponent picks from one of them the game is agreed upon, pronto. There is no need for confirmation from the first poster, even though this is good practice and noble sportsmanship. So in case you see your opponent pick from one of the times you've listed, please confirm whenever you can. If you didn't confirm, we admins are assured that you are following the thread and that you have seen the time your opponent has picked for the game.
First posters have the upper-hand on the game negotiation, but also all times listed must be considered thoughtfully since their opponent can pick from any of those times and the game agreement is therefore validated.
 
 
Now, what to do when you cannot show up for your game? Here's what not to do:

 
That's a rather sad event, but where are your times? Can we make it better? Let's see:

 
You did it so much better this time that even your soda wouldn't dare to spill!
 
 
Last but not least, let's see both bad and good negotiation examples.

 
Ok that was... not ideal. Now let's see a good one:

 
That was good! 
 
 
I believe that's all for this post. Follow these examples and avoid unclear first posts or replies and you should do good! Remember that it is all about getting a game played, so it should never become a negotiation fight. It is a chess league, not an activity contest.
Finally, I'd like to ask (again) that if you're not a player from either team in a Negotiation Thread nor an admin with the sole purpose of guiding players through the process, that you please do not post there, as it disrupts ongoing negotiations and makes it more time consuming to the players that are legitimately trying to get a game time. Constant breaking of this rule could damage not only you but also your team in case you are ejected from the league.

Thank you all for reading and best of luck with your games!

lol i think one of those was mine

or similar at least

Great example @Wind

Have fun and Good Luck!

Is the "I can play any time" supposed to be me lol

Most people could play any reasonable time in their time zone especially due to these circumstances

So personally the "I can play any time and am in (time zone)" is fine for rn 

Thanks for posting this! 

This might help some teams tbh

Mostly Yeah but try to say:

'Hi! I am in the (timezone) and I can play (date-date) at usually (time-time) PM

What about you?'

It is ok, but not ideal.
If you can play anytime, make sure to include some times so that your opponent gets from one of them. Even if you can literally play anytime, just include a big window then and it'll make life easier and speed up the negotiation process.

I just say

"Sup @(username), I'm in CDT and can play really any reasonable CDT time. So tell me when you wanna play and then I'll probably come"

Perfect!

ROL I now know how NOT to negotiate well!

Lol

lol