Courtesy and Respect

 Not hard at all.  But that is the other player's behavior, over which I have no control.  I am suggesting that my behavior IS within my control, and as such is the only one that I should be concerned about. 

But some people obviously have such insight into the way things should be!  Certainly they are justified to get into a snit when others don't behave in the one true way, especially when they have gone to such pains to demonstrate that there are no individual opinions, but only correct ways to think.

I think it rude to challenge someone to a rated game that is so much higher rated than you that they get zero/0/nada should they win and then they EXPECT a response ?! This happens to me frequently and sometimes when I do respond ( decline ) they accuse me of being "scared" or " protecting my rating" !!  LOL

I'm sure that's a problem I'll never have to worry about, Reb! 

--Cystem

If some sub-1000 rated players challenge you , you will have the same dilemma . I think when the rating difference is 600 or 700 points the higher rated gets nothing for a win. I am not sure where the cut off is exactly.

I guess the math would work out the same, and I might well decline a challenge for one reason or another (I don't like very many games at a time), but the potential positive or negative impact on my rating wouldn't be a factor in my decision.  I'm in the "who cares" camp when it comes to my actual rating value.  I'd like an overall upward trend over the years, a potential indication of improvement, but I don't see every game as a means to add or avoid subtracting points.

Now if my rating here was worth some money or something, that would be different . . . 

--Cystem

This post makes it abundantly clear that this is exactly what you are doing -- protecting your rating.  Not that there is necessarily anything wrong with it, but you are not being honest when you act as if you are not doing this.  And if you think that your respect is to be reserved for other chess masters, then that speaks volumes for who you are as a person.

I'd say that, if I have no theoretical chance of gaining even a single point from the game, while I risk losing a batch of points if I blunder or time out for any reason, this is not entirely a fair proposition to make. Surely if those players are interested in playing and not in points they could make an unrated challenge.

Yes, you have a valid point (well, Reb seems to have made that valid point first).  I am not arguing against either of you here (although, for whatever it's worth, I do play rated games in which I can only lose points, but cannot win any) -- that is a personal choice.  All I am trying to say is that if the challenge is not frivolous, then it deserves a reply.  Obviously that changes if a player keeps challenging you again and again, just to be annoying.  But short of this, well, why not see this as a community?  I have never just ignored a challenge, and I cannot imagine that I ever will.  There are some things in life that count for more than chess ability.

I don't think it's discourteous to point out that in addition to points, in a game where the players are separated by 700 or more points the game play itself is no fun for either player -- well... maybe beginners who still think any player is beatable as long as they concentrate would think it's fun ;)

I remember when I first started playing and I asked a guy what his rating was, (I had no rating, would have probably been 1000 or something) and he said 1900, and I thought "that's no so tough" lol

You underestimate the extensive powers of boredom, comrade.

Perhaps reb doesn't want to waste his time owning a 1000, but risking that if he had a heart attack or something people would think he's a 1600. That's just annoying.

Good work, wish I'd thought of it.

p.s. On topic: I have a stock solution for dealing with players out of my rating range. I decline the challenge, explaining that I'm sending them an unrated challenge as I stand to gain nought, whilst risking a huge number of points. Yes, I'm protecting my rating (naturally enough, in my opinion) and no, I don't care about being called a chicken. I'm not being snotty, those points were hard won and a simple piece hang will have exaggerated effects on one's rating.

lol

what I really hate is playing and reading provoking lines.

most people start to write things like LOL and similar, but after a blunder immediatly log out.

I remember a guy writing stupid things but after loosing his Queen went away.

why not to put eyes in the game and being polite.

bad manners don't win a game

Fischer said " I don't believe in psychology. only in good moves".

But I thought Fischer was crazy about psychology.

He said also that he wanted to crush his opponent's mind and soul... but that was when he was going insane I think.

the last 2 words are redundant

They are? I don't get it.

No, they are not.  Crazy about psychology is obviously not the same as just plain crazy.  Although there may be some overlap.