I think some take it too seriously. Saying gg after a match, regardless of the outcome, is just a show of good sportsmanship. If they are too demoralized to accept it as a simple pleasantry then that would be their problem, not mine.
Would you be so rude as to refuse a handshake in an otb game, after all, its just a hollow gesture-doesnt actually mean anything. Right?
GG is much more appropriate before the game...
True. Just a couple of letters, what harm could they be ?
They simply imply that you are too lazy to type two single-syllable words.
However good or bad, the English language clearly deserves better than that.
Tell that to the USA, the CIA, the SPCA, the FBI, the KBG, and the UN ;-) I am certain Greece has some of their own figures.
As I said, I type gg, but I also type good fight if the match is exciting, whether a win or not. If it is that interesting, I continue to type.
Laziness would be better constituted as saying nothing at all, since "gg" takes more effort than saying nothing. That may seem unfair, but consider that your opponent took the time to acknowledge his game with you by spending 5 extra seconds typing gg and clicking Enter.
I guess lol is out of the question too? Funny - I know plently of intelligent people that use shorthand acronyms.
BTW, didn't they use to teach shorthand as a class to the intelligent? I believe it was used for many years in court systems to help deal with writing under pressure. Sure, "lol" isn't typically written due to time pressure, but to chalk it up to laziness is a really biased opinion that is devoid of fact.
My experience with GG is unique. I lost the game to a Russian (stronger than me) player and messaged " Thanks for playing, a GG" and invited him for friendship. In return my invitation for friendship was refused and return came a message in Russian laungage. I did not understand the message and is still wondering what was that.
Use Google translator - that is a tool for the unlazy (wink at pfren from us lazy birds!)
JMSMR712 has perfectly put it. I fully agree with him.
At my local coffeeshop, there's a guy who says thank you at every opportunity.
Get grindin'?
Gratuitously Gregarious.
Standard form when someone says "GG" after you've lost is to tell them to piss off.
Standard form when someone says "GG" after you've lost is "FY"
Sadly, sometimes I get that. Not literally, but close enough. I had one opponent a few days ago who said something like "You don't have to say that, it wasn't much of a game". For me, it is a polite way of saying "thank you for the game". gg has nothing to do with the quality of play. If it is that good, I will actually write more about it, like "man I got lucky", "that was an awesome fight", etc.
I used to play in live tournaments every saturday night and to get around the "good game" thing I used to wish my opponent luck in their next game. No reply and a very quick exit 90% of the time. It's not you and it's not a problem with "gg". Most people just don't seem to want to chat at all when playing. I've gone back to playing more Chessmaster and less live chess because of it actually - feels more human. :)
Standard form when someone says "GG" after you've lost is "FY"
Sadly, sometimes I get that. Not literally, but close enough. I had one opponent a few days ago who said something like "You don't have to say that, it wasn't much of a game". For me, it is a polite way of saying "thank you for the game". gg has nothing to do with the quality of play. If it is that good, I will actually write more about it, like "man I got lucky", "that was an awesome fight", etc.
I don't know, but personally I say "gg" to the opponent only if he performed a good sac maybe a positional one
Standard form when someone says "GG" after you've lost is "FY"
Which, of course, stands for "Fo'real, Yo!".
I say "gg" when my opponent is about to castle.
Am I missing something?
After each match, I offer a "good game" or "thanks for the game" but rarely do I get a reply except for the usual "such and such has left the chat".
I know what you thinking, or at least what might have crossed your mind. I'm not one of those players that trash talk during a match. Although I haven't ran across many, there have been a few players that acted as if they were in 9th grade.
Also, I offer this sincerely and whether I've won or lost. It's virtual good sportmanship, in my mind, just like a handshake.
So, I ask you... Am I missing something? Am I somehow, unintentionally breaking some unwritten rule of chess etiquette?
Jason
They could be in the nineth grade?! :) Could have headphones on and plying the playstation at the same time! I just don't think alot of the really young players think it's necessary. They are still in the mode of "can't see them, why bother". Maybe another reason is, they have trouble typing or moving the screens around in "live games". Maybe they are so excited to play that it skipped their mind to say thanks or gg. Just too many games going. who cares, is my first guess, and of course the ducks mentioned above!
Many people do not consider a loss good, or chess a game!
You pompous blowhards who type gg at the end of games only demonstrates your arrogance or ego. Don't even think of resigning or it would only prove the previous statement.
In fact, the only way to win is not to play. Lets just play a friendly game of global-thermonuclear war.