Nobody says "Good Game" anymore!

I think you got it right there.  Generally, I feel like I play better games against other players than versus a program because I tend to put a bit more attention and effort into it - I don't want to waste someone else's time, and in a sense, whether or not you want to thank the other player for the game (or otherwise comment etc.) is, maybe just like another 'move in chess' ... up to you to decide its value.

Also, I tend to think its a decent idea to retain things of value.

Thank you for your comment *thumbs up*

Saying a good game is an excellent practice. It would be good to see it more often.

I only say it if the loser says something, otherwise it could be considered rude.

It's the same OTB, I'm not shaking someone's hand after I've won unless they offer it to me. I think it's the polite thing to do, unless there's a cultural element to it.

With games like Starcraft, it's more common for everyone to say "good game", as there's a culture of "good manners" surrounding that game. If someone doesn't say it, it's presumed they're being bad-mannered or are otherwise being angry; it's the same as refusing to shake someone's hand. It's just different in chess, because it's a handshake usually.

(It may be a South Korean cultural thing, and they used to broadcast it on TV. They eventually banned all chat: except for "gg", and only as a means to resign the game. Everyone said it when I played, even the most vitriolic and rude players would say "gg" as a means to resign. I thought that was great. It was simply considered dishonorable to *not* say it, so anyone with any self-respect would say it to avoid the shame or harm to reputation. Funny, thinking of it, even.)

In short, lose at chess (or play another game) if you want to say good game. I'll say it back in both cases! I wish more folks said it here, but I think people who lose need to be the ones to say it first, or it won't become ubiquitous. It'd be nice if they were as common as handshakes, but I associate those with classical time controls, too.

I've read a few different takes on this that I thought were interesting, and one of those talked about how often chess geniuses were known for their paranoia (especially later in life, but also during their careers: Fischer, Spassky, Nimzowitsch to name a few) and that chess was about being paranoid of your opponent's intentions.

I think that's why we play better against human competition, and why we don't just sit at home playing against PCs, but use this great site. There's something psychological about having someone on the other side. Together, you weave a story, and whether you're the protagonist or the antagonist, the victim, or the hero... well, I suppose that's up to you. If you're playing a computer, who are you playing against? A robot. That's no fun.

I'd rather play a 7 year-old named Lila from Suriname than Stockfish; I'll take anyone who knows how to move their pieces. I only like the bots for getting instant feedback on my moves/lines, because they're engines.

I think it's etiquette. Like thanking your server when they bring you your food. It's not as required as tipping, but it's still somewhat required. Informally. I say it to be polite, so I make a point of not saying anything if I win, because that's always bad manners. IMO. No matter what you say: "Well played" or "good game" or "thanks for the game" it could come off as sarcastic or mean. If you win. If you lose you can say any of those. It's gracious, and it shows them there's no hard feelings. But this was learned with the benefit of having chat turned off. I can say "good game" at the end without turning chat on by clicking on the message.

gg

That was an interesting read. What's your take on the extra layer of paranoia we have now with wondering about opponents using engines during games?

I don't think it's anything new, chess players have been suspicious of engine cheating for ~20 years, and there's always been suspicions of corrupt organizing bodies, corrupt tournament organizers, bugged phones at hotels, pre-arranged matches/match-fixing, intentional draws between friendly GMs (to save their endurance for someone else, usually Bobby Fischer).

I think Topalev accused Kramnik of cheating, and vice versa. They've both been accused. An Indian manager was found with a radio device in his cap once. It's as old as time, but now we have the tools to detect cheating really well.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jan/29/chess.gdnsport3

Great point, definitely agree with this. There needs to be a mutual understanding that you're definitely not being sarcastic, I suppose.

I Do

Idk man

At my level, 2200 its very rare because people just leave the game immediately

You're missing the point. It's supposed to be unnecessary. That's why it's considered polite.

This is worse than ever! Chess.com should tell people to say GG after every game. Put it in the fair play rules everyone is supposed to abide by.

I'M never going to say, "Good Game!"

I always say, "Thanks for the game." Weather I win or lose . . .

If it's a group match, I go to the main match post and post,

"Thanks for the games"

and even mention their name and the table number # . . .

Whether the weather is whereever or whatever at the time..

Good game. There, I said it.