Random friend request

Do you also get these random friend requests? And how do you react? 

Usually I ask why they want to be friends. Just now I got one that blocked me and withdrawed the friend request. But usually there's no answer. Seems like most of these people are spammers or just want to promote their club.

As you mentioned, asking why they want to be friends is a good initial step. Genuine users will typically provide a reasonable answer.

F

F

It might be because there is an achievement/award for having 100 friends - called Social Butterfly. Some people, including myself, like to collect the awards. Hopefully it isn't offensive to others. I mean you occasionally meet genuinely nice people by befriending strangers, that you probably wouldn't otherwise have met. Or you can easily remove them as friends in future if it turns out badly. Hopefully this makes sense. And by the way, if you'd like to friend request me I won't say no. I don't have my own club and I'm not going to spam you. Cheers!

When I was first on chess.com, I declined almost all friend requests (that lasted about a year maybe?), then I started accepting some friend requests selectively by usually messaging them why they wanted to be chess.com friends; anyone who responded with a decent answer I accepted. The ones who never responded, I declined.

After that, I recognized that chess.com friend requests doesn't mean much anyway. My standards were too high because I was treating it like in-person friendship. Online, people will send you a friend request because they like your profile picture, or they want the Social Butterfly chess.com achievement, or other similar reasons. I like helping them out and now I accept almost all friend requests.

It is super rare I decline a request. You'd need to give me a reason NOT to accept a friend request.

I just X-out randoms. If it's a coach or someone I played-YES. Why would a random person want to be friends with a beginner? Me.

When I first signed up, I friend requested everyone I played. I thought it was like FB or something. The only reason you want a friend on Chess.com is find them to challenge them again. Maybe to watch a high rated player play from time to time.

They say there are millions of players on Chess.com. If you turn someone down, they will get over it. They are just a click away from getting a new buddy.

Settings:
Social:
Allow friend requests:
No

Dear friend,

I clearly hear your call on the chessboard, your opinions, your advice, your wishes and, in our chess games, I have even heard your confessions.

And for all this, from the ocean to the white sheep, from your waves of foam to a reflection of the moon, there is no more border than sky and earth.

When two people sweep away sorrow one evening, the happiness of friendship shines across the 64 squares of the chessboard.

𓇻

Have a nice day everyone.

𓇼

Manfreto

i accept all friend requests- it's not like its an in person relationship or anything

I accept all except for trolls and spammers

Generally, these are suggestions from chess.com, just decline the proposal

Not a problem for me

Pretty much. Since they are not actually a friend; they are just some bits in cyberspace. I do have a couple of chess.com friends; I meet them occasionally to play OTB or have lunch. Because they are actual friends.