Rematches

Many on this site love rematches, but some of us don't. My personal opinion, with thousands of players online at any given moment, why would I want to play the same player over and over again? Unless you're a grandmaster or something, it seems boring to me. But if you're into rematches, that's fine. But why call someone a coward, or a runner if they don't want to play you all day? Seems foolish to me. There is a rather obvious solution. Chess.com could create a catagory for matches. You could make yourself available for a 5 game, 10 game, or whatever number match. And only those interested would click on. I might even sign up for a short match from time to time. And we get rid of at least one excuse people have to be rude and insulting.

What a great idea! Thumbs up.

This is a terrible idea. We don't need more divisons in the seeks.

Got to love the royal we.

Exactly! And it's perfectly reasonable for both players to get a shot at playing white.

I'd like to be able to choose  only to play people who have animals (domesticated) for avatars

I agree

I don't get it.

You never even played live chess

I'm here for the chess.com community. Groups and such. I play elsewhere. So what?

Someone took issue with me not playing rematches earlier tonight. So I asked him to read the post I put up, and this was his response:

First off, I don't care that much. My life, reputation or happiness do not depend on beating you at bullet. But since you kindly invited me to read your post, I feel it only polite to comment. I have two main criticisms.

The first is that a rematch is not playing "the same player over and over again". It is a rematch. The term is specific and relates to just that - not necessarily lots of games with a single person. In other words, either consciously or not, you are conflating two different things.  

The second criticism is that it is generally accepted - clearly not by you - that not offering a rematch is rude. Occassionally, I refuse rematch requests. But when I do, I am being stroppy, unfriendly and, basically, rude. I admit it. But this is not a policy of mine, and I accept rematches almost all the time. Having a blanket policy of no rematches is simply unsporting. That's your right. But it's still unsporting. 

It's particularly unsporting when you play with white and win, which must happen quite a bit. Not to offer a rematch under those circumstances is pretty rough, in my view. I think the huge majority of people here would agree with that. I know you don't care about that - and you clearly don't care about fairness - but I'm reminding you even so. 

Anyway, I am going to get back to my life, which is substantially more interesting than thinking about your weird policies on playing bullet and blitz on chess.com. Good luck."

Before I comment, what does "stroppy" mean? Is that a British word like lift or bonnet? Anyway, you can see our problem. Why all this hostility because I don't want to play a rematch. I replied to his message, telling him I am not trying to be rude, unsporting, or whatever stroppy means. I also said maybe he has a point if I win with white. But I should point out, with either white or black pieces, win, lose, or draw, I almost never play rematches. I also pointed out that this obsession with rematches is not the case on the other chess website I play on. I don't get it, so many negative attributes assigned to me because I don't like to play rematches?

There is no "it" to get over. We are simply having a conversation of how this website can be improved. Providing a match option makes it easier for everyone to play chess in the way they choose to, and it eliminates excuses for conflict. This website has stated that it's goal is to create a friendly environment for chess players. Insulting people for not wanting to play rematches is counter to that goal. Your "get over it" comment is not only an example of the foolish rudeness so common on this site, but it also shows a shocking level of ignorance about the purpose of this conversation. It's not a group therapy session in order to help me "get over" my hurt feelings. It's a discussion of how this site can be best organized to make it enjoyable for everone.

Of course it can be done, that doesn't mean I think it will be. There isn't much that can't be done with computers these days, it's just a matter of wanting to do it.

Are you going to keep us in suspense? Tell us what the problem is.

There are other reasons for not playing a rematch. Some people play really fast and boring, they just exchange every possible piece they can get their hands on. Most of us also play at home, so there are other things coming up, like phone calls, dinners, etc.

But every now and then there's an interesting game, so a rematch would be great, if possible.

This is a question: Isn't Chess.com set up in such a way that players will get almost equal number of Blacks and Whites regardless if he accepts rematches or not?

ponz111 yes there is equal number of white and black game

Oh, you know so much about me don't you? I happen to be studying astronomy in college, I certainly don't have time to be the lead "warrior" to improve this site. But that doesn't stop me from making a suggestion. I won't pretend to know you. Though based on your short, one-sentence, meaningless insults, I'm guessing there's not much to know.

I realize its a strain on you, but can you please use more than one sentence and actually communicate a complete thought?

If Chess.com sees to it that the players have an equal number of White and Black games, what does it matter if someone refuses a rematch?

And how is it an "insult" to refuse a rematch?

And who says that most players feel it is an "insult" to refuse a rematch?