It should be noted that while many of players say nothing in chat while playing, the forums have a lot of overly communicative guys and gals whose only goal is to troll you. Expect several of them in this thread.
kaynight is right about this not really being a social medium however. Most ppl take only the chess playing seriously, and some, not even that.
kaynight, sorry to disagree with your objection. I know quite well the difference between Facebook and Chess.com, although that I consider Chess.com to belong to social media. I have neither the time nor the interest to chat around on what platform so ever. My point was just the question of politeness and respect to any opponent.
you are certainly right, it did not happen to me, so far and if somebody uses the chat function for insulting people, I turn it off.
I turn off chat not to be antisocial but to avoid the insults and juvenile behavior. I want to play chess, and not have my clock burned by replying to interruptions. I'm sorry if you feel like this should be a social thing but its not set up for that. Don't take it personal but Ma's advice about talking to strangers still applies, even on the internet.
Its nice that you participate in the discourse MikeCrockett. I repeat that I have not been insulted or bored by juvenine behaviour so far. What is surprising for me that your Mam s advice not to talk to stangers may apply for kids but not anymorre for a man of your age. I think that we are very previleged to play chess with so many different cultures and behaviours. Its a chance to make friends who share our interest and to enlarge our knowledge.
All my arguments are based on online chess and online chess tournaments where is plenty of time. I am not talking about Blitz or very short time life chess. I hope you understand my position.
Beaufort: I agree with your points about being social. If I had the choice I'd prefer a local chess club for some non rated games then to come here. I am not saying I would not be a part of chess.com, my point is that you can be more social at a club.
There are a lot of reasons why many on line will not be social during a game. There are times when your opponent is rude, or annoying, but for many it is also the ability to jump from one game to the next. This instant ability to get in many games is tempting for many. That is why many come here, to play chess, and to play a bunch of games.
I don't think the majority are trying to be anti-social it's just the way things happen on line. We are a visually oriented species (sorry for getting all deep thought here). A lot of our speech is done via physical gestures, our eyes, facial features, etc. The on line world removes this aspect of our communication and makes our talks feel cold. This unto itself leads many to pull back when wanting to speak during a game. It can lead to unintended discourse.
Hopefully things will change in the near future. Microsoft is about to release their Hologram system with Windows 10 and Oculus Rift is moving forward with actual Virtual Reality. Once we can visually place our physical selves on line, then we will complete the communication puzzle.
Beaufort1, it's good to have a feedback when we talk in the games. I, particularly, always say at least a "Hi. Good Luck" in the begging, or a "Good game" in the end. Half of time I not even get response. But it's ok... People are not obliged to get inside any kind of conversation here. Even if it was a Facebook, no one have to answer. Not even need to play, much less talk.
In the Online game we have more time, so I talk. But in the Live Chess, with time to finish the game, it's strange to see people getting inside a conversation. How are you going to concentrate at the game and in the talk at the same time?
But of course... it's always better to deal with polite and nice people.
Creg: Thank you so much for your analysis. As a matter of fact, in my country Chess Clubs are more and more disappearing, and this, due to online chess. I love to play online chess and respective tournaments with some times 20 games at the same time. Its challenging my intelect and it improves my knowledge of chess. But mankind is an emotional being, before being rational, this is not only my personal conviction. I play chess online with my brother who lives in Germany with webcam and Skype assistance. Thats really great and I look forward that next Windows version will include such possibilities. Anyway, I enjoyed that you took my thread in the right way. Thank you again
Chess used to be a more social event than it is now and it is becoming less and less social . One of the reasons I grew addicted to the game is because of the social aspect of it . The internet and online chess is killing club chess and the social aspect of the game . It's a real shame imo .
Chess used to be a more social event than it is now and it is becoming less and less social . One of the reasons I grew addicted to the game is because of the social aspect of it . The internet and online chess is killing club chess and the social aspect of the game . It's a real shame imo .
I wouldn't say internet chess is killing club chess. Technology as a whole is killing the social aspect of life in general in the younger generations.
Those born in the 90s were born with email.
Those born in the 2000s were born with texting.
This is all people do now is use the internet for everything. Social life of people under 30 is non-existent.
There are still 2 chess clubs in Charlotte, they aren't dying. One that meets on Tuesday where there is a lot of social activity going on, and one on Wednesday night that is way lower class than the one that meets on Tuesday with an arrogant person not worth talking to running it.
That said, you get two groups of people at the club on Tuesday nights. The few kids that are seriously trying to hit master, and adults over 35.
With the kids, they are jumpy, don't understand how to be quiet, patience for the most part is non-existent, and it's all trash talk.
With the older people, including myself, it's more what the OP is looking for. Yeah, there's signs of disgust after losing won positions in time scrambles, but there isn't the "In your face" factor like there is with at least half the kids that play tournament chess now-a-days.
And you wonder why the tournament hall is always so loud in tournaments, especially in the lower sections!
You are right ... I know adult players that have quit playing otb tournies because of the kids . Some of the kids are well behaved but many are not . At some of the tournies I have attended recently the kids had better playing conditions than the adults , even at one state championship and this isnt right . It seems now I cannot go to a tourney that doesnt also include a " scholastic section " so the kids must be tolerated , and their parents . I do wish there were some events only for adults but I think there are none except a few senior events here and there ....
Good point Reb.
Chess should be a place to people be friendly and social. But the problem is that political and historical questions are always related with chess... The biggest example is the most famous chess game: Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky (totally political).
But sometimes, those who proclaims to be nice and appreciate a good talk are the first to not do that if, for example, you are from a country they don't like or have ideas they disagree. Or they are simple jealous.
Another example of that was the Nigel and Cheparinov handshake incident. Chess is a intelectual game, and intelectual people always have many other things in head when they come to play.
But as I told before, no one have to talk, although it's nice when people do it.
I don't know much about Short and nothing first hand but I have witnessed first hand that Cheparinov is a jerk when he loses . I saw his behavior in Zafra Spain some years ago when he failed to win an ending in which he had K+Q v K+R ! LOL
I usually only initiate a "gg" after a game, but I enjoy returning a "hello" at the beginnig as well. Inbetween those two I would prefer to keep the communication to the moves on the board because I get distracted easily. I'll still chat about whatever if my opponent starts asking me questions during the game because I have an unhealthy desire to please. (I was chatting with someone about cricket yesterday(I know nothing about cricket)) In general I would also prefer people were more polite, but having the ability to play chess with people from all over the world at any time I want while sitting on my couch is so awesome that I'm not really bothered.
In addition to what Reb said, I would like to mention that in 18th century chess was played in coffee houses, such as "Café de la Regence" of Paris where Philidor (considered as best player of his time) was almost at home. Even Napoleon (not so good player and bad looser) often frequented this place and exactly for this reason I opened this thread. I do not really appreciate those guys in face-to-face games who do not say a single word and disgust any noice. I also play in cafés or bars with people around not knowing nothing about chess, music and of course kids. I do not care and I do not feel disturbed. I wish I could do it more often, but there are less and less opponents available to to Internet chess.
I also like that type of ambient. Only someone speaking loud close to me, so I'm able to follow his/her speech, can disturb me.
Wow. This is one of the most productive and reasonable threads I've seen here.
For six months I am a premium member of chess.com. Unfortunately, I noticed that most of the players just are interested in the game itself but not at all to perceive that we are playing against human beings, against persons and not computers. It should be a rule of courtesy to say hello to the opponent and wish a nice game. I am always very pleased to encoounter such people. We are a community of millions of people from all over the world.
The rating achieved in chess.com is an illusion compared with playing face to face with somebody. I guess, you should immediately deduct 150 points in order to be on the ground of facts. Its so comfortable to play at home in front of your computer (showing you vertically the chessboard), having a drink etc. This has nothing to do with a real tournament, for example.
But we could avoid this problem if we reckocknize our opponents as human beings, being polite and social.
I would appreciate if this new thema would lead to a lively discussion. Thank you