Ball of Confusion

I noticed the thread If you want to play chess, play on lichess.com was locked (as it probably should be) but that leads to some confusion as to what's allowed/not allowed since other threads comparing chess.com to other sites have been left alone without any announced change in rules. So, it's ok until it isn't??

Along the same lines, I also noticed advertising here: Chess writing, help
and obscenity blatantly and purposefully posted here: Chess girl video
both of which have been up for a while now with no action taken. 

yesssssssssssss
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Hi, I have noticed a lot of self-advertising posts lately.....

I've noticed many posts also, I've reported all that I find. Some are removed and locked, some are not. Seems rather arbitrary to me.

You have to point out blatant violations in order for anything to actually be done. Most moderation is done by bots, they're not that good IMHO.

There is a lot of auto-moderation features to attempts to prevent problems before they can occur, but a lot of the forum moderation is done manually, so some things may not be seen by anyone for a while.

While the rule about discussion of competition sites has been relaxed, directly soliciting members to go to other sites isn't allowed, nor is direct advertisements. As you know, sometimes moderators don't come across topics, until they are pointed out. I've found years old ones before that have slipped through.

In regards to that chess writing topic, yesterday that URL was not there and added later in an edit apparently. I saw it early on, assumed it was an attempt at spam, but without corroborating evidence, left it. It's gone now.

The video one apparently had the posters account muted or closed.

The threads comparing sites have, in fact, contained direct solicitations within but the real issue is that no one can point out where this policy is at all stated, let alone the distinctions which seem to come out of nowhere.  Chess is a game of clear rules and moves adhere to them. Chess Forums are a guessing game with the rules made up and enforced (seemingly) on the spot and often applied arbitrarily.  The proof is in the pudding.

Looks like support has taken action on the spam writing account.

They have now removed it...sad, I wanted to see it!

The rules about advertisement of competing sites have been around for a long time, just the judgement on what actually constitutes advertisement is nuanced and the current environment and rules around it have been relaxed somewhat. 

There is some subjectivity in things and I don't think anyone wants draconian rules for everything. Add to that, moderators won't see every post, every topic, and every edit, so things will make it through. Even automatic mutes will have things show up hours later, where a mod couldn't have seen content until it suddenly shows up three or four pages back in a category.

"current environment and rules around it have been relaxed somewhat. "

more like obscured.

The 'current environment'...being chess.com hemorraging paid memberships as we discover sites that aren't obsessed with lame POG and such?

I'm not a fan of PogChamps but I don't mind that it exists as a niche.  I do mind the excessive focus on it and streaming in place of what I would consider real chess (as opposed to entertainment chess). 

The Marshall Spectator (put out by the Marshall Chess Club) wrote in the last issue:
"Chess.com has conducted a brilliant marketing ploy to drum up interest in PogChamps. PogChamps is a bracket format tournament made up of amateur chess playing celebrities and influencers battling over a large prize fund entirely for charity. Often, these patzers bring with them an audience of tens of millions of followers from instagram, tik tok, twitch, and/or youtube, introducing them to chess in the process. While some of the competitors show a formidable understanding of the game, most are still in the realm of “utter beginner.” After the success of the last PogChamps—which featured the likes of Rainn Wilson and Mr. Beast, I wondered if it was possible the next one could be even better. Then it was announced that it would feature investors, analysts, and youtubers from the rapidly growing cryptocurrency space."

I think the key phrase is brilliant marketing ploy though my definition of brilliant and theirs might differ.  The world is changing, but not all the change is for the better.  

CC excels at marketing with early recognition of potential. Very successful with Puzzle Rush. Marketing techniques rapidly create an identity out of nowhere. Pog champs looks to be a perfect fit for advertising current markets.  Most all communication today is done via social media. 

As far as I'm aware, that isn't happening and has no bearing on the changes. There's a newer Community Manager and as far as I'm aware, the change in direction was due to urging by that person. Along with a push for additional moderators, which also happened.

A change of format will solve many of the current issues. 
One topic along the lines of - Comparing Chess Sites. A staff moderator watches over the topic. One place members can go to and discuss the topic- moderated by CC.

Instead - what shall we see happen? Greater chaos. Dozens of new threads created over the same topic. Some immediately deleted, others never knowing when their thread will get hihacked. Members wanting to be the OP so they control who or what gets said. Rage wars, insults, blocking’s and mutings, abuse reports etc . etc… all which can be avoided.

The idea is to establish a specific place for conducting discussion of a topic. All topics under the sun can be included with broad, generic titles. The topic is moderated solely by staff. A great deal of creativity exists for members to expand on popular topics with side rooms.

IMO,  it is just utterly crazy - the present format making for dozens of independent threads on the exact same topic. Objectively observe the results. Perhaps there is another bottom line - the present format makes for endless duplication- keeping the advertising department happy.