Chess a la mode

Nope - not with ice cream (though that could have some seriously fun applications) but in the original term "after the fashion."  It's very en vogue to play open games with sweeping moves and tactical philosophy.  There's nothing wrong with it, it's just the preferences of most players these days, and it's because the old-fashioned closed game systems are considered boring and passe.  I've found, however, that if you play positional chess (which often leads to closed games) against a lot of modern open-style players, you can have some pretty great success.  Is playing the closed game a skill that we are losing?

I thought this was s serious question or observation but then I noticed that you have played almost all of your games (23/30) against one player, who was rated anywhere from 200 to 400 points below you, depending on when you played.

Sorry to be blunt but how would you know what the current fashion is? Or what most players prefer? If your friend has stopped playing closed games, it might be a leap to conclude that "most players preferences" have also shifted.

That is true - most of my online games happen to be against one player - because I tend to play in person moreso than online.  But, you know, way to go with making assumptions.

Since you offered no basis for your claims, I had to go with what I was given.

I'll give you another chance to explain how you have come to know what most players prefer.

I'm so honored you would give me "another chance."   Seriously, why I'm asking the question shouldn't matter to you.  Give your thoughts on the topic or shut up, please and thank you.

Well you made the claim. I think the onus is on you to provide some evidence.

You didn't just ask a question. You claimed to know most players preferences.

I thought that maybe there was something in your own games that was leading you to such a conclusion. Guess not.

Shut up?  Is that how you play the game?

Many players without much book knowledge hesitate to play open games, since they often come down to a knowledge of variations.

Those without much book knowledge/ evidence played closed/strategic games. When confronted with an open game, all they can say is "shut up" and then start blocking any who disagree.

/ In before the block.  Fisticuffs and or blocking are not the answer.

Finally, you actually have a thought on the question at hand, rather than making judgments on the person asking the question.  Thank you.  It's a viable line of thinking, and while I'm not positive I agree with it, it does at least have some bearing on the question at hand, and should therefore be considered.