Vote Chess Guidelines
Sort:
Please Sign Up to comment.
If you need help, please contact our Help and Support team.
Guidelines for Vote Chess
⦁Together we can play smarter and stronger than individually.
⦁To win in vote chess we have to find the best move, not the most popular move at first glance.
⦁Therefore we need to coordinate our thinking by sharing thoughts respectfully before voting.
⦁Our goal should be to achieve consensus. Voting is a formality, after consensus is reached.
RULE 1. Don't vote early!
Only in the last 10 hours of our turn, even if the move seems obvious. Sometimes the best moves are not obvious. Once you cast a vote, you may be committing the team to a plan that may turn out to be flawed. Really, what's the point of vote chess if you're going to just vote before there has been discussion?! You may as well play by yourself.
Exceptions: It is acceptable for one player to make a single "safety vote," just to make sure we don't fail to make a move within the time allowed. Also, if you know that you will be unable to move in the last 10 hours (you won't be online), you can make your move early, but always make a comment to inform the team that you are doing so and why. (This is really only necessary if a safety vote has already been made and it is one that you feel is flawed.)
If you are not sure how to move, wait longer. We have a great team; surely the best move will emerge from the collective wisdom. In theory we would only need is single vote from one person if he has waited long enough to gather the best input from all participants.
RULE 2. Do share your observations!
Your observations and suggestions are probably even more valuable than your actual vote. Analyze each position as if it were its own chess puzzle. Look for the move that is technically superior, not one that just has a good chance of winning against flawed play. (Our opponents are thinking collectively too).
If you have a move to suggest, post it and explain its benefits. Sometimes all that is needed is a simple statement like "g6 allows for developing the bishop."
RULE 3. Show respect and appreciation!
Yes, be polite. But even more importantly, show your teammates that you appreciate their thoughtful suggestions by commenting on them. It doesn't feel good to lay out a detailed plan and then get no response.