A TALLY OF DATABASE-USERS & NON-USERS

move the non-database user first.

Mebeme wrote:

ericwheatley, ever thought some people dont live within 40 miles of a chess club? less tournaments here too.

 Actually, the thought never crossed my mind. I was only speaking on my behalf.

oh! sorry, sorry, really sorry, I meant ERICMITTENS. not you :)

Check me off as a Non-User - I never touch the stuff... just wouldn't feel right to me.

I wan't a circle of trust for people who choose not to use en passant on even days, and promote pawns only to knights on odd days. use your right to introduce additional random rules to chess at will!

but don't get too bothered if your opponent ignores them.

I use the game explorer for openings i don't know.  If an opponent stated they weren't going to use it and asked me not to either, then fair enough.  But noone ever has.  If someone didn't want it used, then it's really up to them to say so since it is not reasonable to expect your opponent to state 'i'll be playing within the rules of the site, just so you know.'  for every game. You can assume it. 

Of course, I use it less as I become more familiar with the openings.  Which is kind of the point. 

during play - i don't use any.....stock knowledge...

in between games - i read and check them out

happy game of chess - win or loose

Why cant people just play the game in front of them.

In my opinion using aids such as those tells me you are really insecure of your game. If winning is really important to you, maybe you should turn professional.

Its a game, there is a winner and a loser, mostly, deal with it.

Non user.

Chess helps me organise my thoughts and train my mind in combined thinking.So,I try to press my mind as much as possible.I don't care about the results.Improving my thinking process is the most important issue for me.And chess is the way to achieve it.

chqm8 wrote: Why cant people just play the game in front of them.   In my opinion using aids such as those tells me you are really insecure of your game. If winning is really important to you, maybe you should turn professional.   Its a game, there is a winner and a loser, mostly, deal with it.

Could we start a parallel thread counting users/non-users of non-wooden tennis racquets, lightweight swimwear and other modern innovations such as satellite navigation?

Databases and opening books are allowed in correspondence but YOU have to make your own moves. You can't have a machine or a stronger player making the moves for you. 

Non user,for I respect the Lord!

Non-user.  This is a good forum.  I have computer chess, why would I want to play a computer through a person on chess.com??

I use databases and opening books where ever possible...I believe chess deserves maximum respect from its practicioners, even the uncreative and dimwitted. Hopefully, we might thereby drag outselves from the cess-pitt of mediocrity. In the real world I make too many over-sights against players above 2100elo [after the 3rd hour of OTB play for some reason].

Here at chess.com, I can learn what ever openings are thrown at me and revel in the tactics that occur with all the time necessary to investigate what might be. If you just want to use the site to muck around, then fine. You probably have a similar attitude to everything you do...and master nothing.

A big thank you to the many players I have come across with opening novelties that have reminded me how little I know about this 'game'.

I use databases and opening books where ever possible...I believe chess deserves maximum respect from its practicioners, even the uncreative and dimwitted. Hopefully, we might thereby drag outselves from the cess-pitt of mediocrity. In the real world I make too many over-sights against players above 2100elo [after the 3rd hour of OTB play for some reason].

Here at chess.com, I can learn what ever openings are thrown at me and revel in the tactics that occur with all the time necessary to investigate what might be. If you just want to use the site to muck around, then fine. You probably have a similar attitude to everything you do...and master nothing.

A big thank you to the many players I have come across with opening novelties that have reminded me how little I know about this 'game'.

I use chesscat to help analyze/annotate my games AFTER they have been played. It does not have a chess engine attached to it. The analyzing is my own meager attempt at it. But as long as the rules are followed and agreed upon in advance, by both players, I see no harm. I belong to various groups, one doesn't allow them (CoT OTB), the other it is almost expected from (Frree Chess Lessons) so I say whatever the majority agrees upon. By the way great topic for discussion, one of the best in awhile in my humble opinion.

I use databases but no books

NON-USER

I use opening explorer for a few moves if I am worried about blundering to an opening I have not faced before. Otherwise I prefer to use outside analysis post-game only.

I know what the rules are and I abide by them. I expect my opponents to do the same. I also know the difference between CC games and OTB, which apparently many people do not.

Aside from the social aspects of playing with people from all over the world, I use chess.com's online chess as a way to improve my chess skills. I'm comfortable with my choices. If I think using all available tools will help me improve more than eschewing them, then that will be my choice.

Most important: I could not care less what my opponents use to help them, so long as they are not violating the rules.