If you can think about the position while staring at your opponent, I see no reason not to.
If you actually get distracted by what your opponent is doing then you are obviously not focused enough.
In OTB, Do You Stare Your Opponent Down
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I distract my OTB opponents by mining a substantial booger out of my nose and then waving it in the air like I'm beckoning a waiter.
To all the pro harassment people out there, here's a little story from the real world that I sincerely hope will bring a warm glow to your dirty little souls:
Billen was a man steadily on his way to the ripe age of 90. He enjoyed chess throughout his life and he played in a little club on the outskirts of town.
He went to the local summer tournament every year; nothing fancy, just a bunch of enthusiasts playing for a pot of approximately $10 and having a laugh.
He was paired up with this young buck. A notorious hothead whom I suspect didn't have much in his life outside of small-time chess.
The young man had apparently discovered, that Billen was sufficiently distraught to not notice a little trick, he had come up with; he would discreetly place his finger on the clock, suppressing his own button, and so it was that Billen's clock kept on ticking while time appeared to stand still in the young buck's case.
Billen never noticing the foul play, saw how his time evaporated and became increasingly frustrated, which in turn must've raised his pulse, because all of a sudden he became pasty white and looked rather ill.
He was rushed to the hospital and according to the doctor, he had had a small infarct from the incident. To all you kids out there, an infarct is when the heart temporarily - sometimes permanently stops.
Now, the question beckons: Is this who you want to be? That kid who became known (and shunned) for almost killing an old man over a handful of change? How about some arbitrary points on a meaningless list?
Sleep tight.
Aug 8, 2019
0
#26
total_oblyst wrote:
To all the pro harassment people out there, here's a little story from the real world that I sincerely hope will bring a warm glow to your dirty little souls:
Billen was a man steadily on his way to the ripe age of 90. He enjoyed chess throughout his life and he played in a little club on the outskirts of town.
He went to the local summer tournament every year; nothing fancy, just a bunch of enthusiasts playing for a pot of approximately $10 and having a laugh.
He was paired up with this young buck. A notorious hothead whom I suspect didn't have much in his life outside of small-time chess.
The young man had apparently discovered, that Billen was sufficiently distraught to not notice a little trick, he had come up with; he would discreetly place his finger on the clock, suppressing his own button, and so it was that Billen's clock kept on ticking while time appeared to stand still in the young buck's case.
Billen never noticing the foul play, saw how his time evaporated and became increasingly frustrated, which in turn must've raised his pulse, because all of a sudden he became pasty white and looked rather ill.
He was rushed to the hospital and according to the doctor, he had had a small infarct from the incident. To all you kids out there, an infarct is when the heart temporarily - sometimes permanently stops.
Now, the question beckons: Is this who you want to be? That kid who became known (and shunned) for almost killing an old man over a handful of change? How about some arbitrary points on a meaningless list?
Sleep tight.
As great as technology can be, it also comes with a downside...Anonymity. The ability to sit in hiding, alone, and all by yourself can do things to some people. Make them act differently than how they would normally act with others around.
The only place I have ever seen wishing someone "Good Game" "Good Luck" and be considered an "insult" is online.
Take what is posted/said online with a grain of salt. I can guarantee you that the vast majority of what some of these people post/believe/feel/etc. is the result of being anonymous.
If someone showed up every week at a chess club, and repeatedly asked the same question: "Do you think Bobby Fischer is the GOAT?" that person would eventfully be asked to stop, and or not come back.
Why do you think you don't see people at OTB tournaments accusing their opponent of trying to distract them by saying: "Good Luck, and "Good Game" Why? Because normal, mentally healthy people understand being kind is a good thing. And acting like an idiot in public has consequences.
Take 90% of this online drama for what it is.
Drama
Attention
Of course you're right, IMBacon. That, by the way, does not come as a surprise, as I've seen many a post from your hand, that resonates very well with me. Much respect all the same 
Sometimes. But if I need to think, I'll look at the board. I'll play fast as well to make them think I'm well prepared for the opening.
Aug 8, 2019
0
#29
AyushMChessMator wrote:
1g41-0 wrote:
I highly doubt you actually said "no"
I actually said "Nope", so you're right. It's perfectly allowed to stare at your opponent, so I never felt obligated to stop. I was like 9 then though.
In the U.S Chess Federation manuel for tournament directors, there is an actually rule called "No annoying behavior."
Aug 8, 2019
0
#30
MagnetsCarleson wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
1g41-0 wrote:
I highly doubt you actually said "no"
I actually said "Nope", so you're right. It's perfectly allowed to stare at your opponent, so I never felt obligated to stop. I was like 9 then though.
In the U.S Chess Federation manuel for tournament directors, there is an actually rule called "No annoying behavior."
Correct. It was obvious to me that the OP either has never read the USCF rule book (many players have never bothered reading it), or he's just trolling... or both.
Aug 8, 2019
0
#31
DamonevicSmithlov wrote:
I wonder if it's against the rules to wear those contacts that r completely white except for a black dot in the center.
Then just give em the stare.
People would just think he'd been up all night studying openings...
Aug 8, 2019
0
#32
EscherehcsE wrote:
DamonevicSmithlov wrote:
I wonder if it's against the rules to wear those contacts that r completely white except for a black dot in the center.
Then just give em the stare.
People would just think he'd been up all night studying openings...
That actually made me laugh.
OP is rated around 1600 USCF and guessing from this post around 10...
Very immature behavior, would not recommend and I definitely don't.
Aug 9, 2019
0
#34
Optimissed wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Optimissed wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Do you give him a stare that makes him unconfortable? I've actually thrown people off by staring at their eyes - an adult asked me to stop once and I said "no".
How about you?
According to the laws of chess, your game could have been awarded to your opponent. The procedure would be to inform the captains of your behaviour or if there was an arbiter present, inform him or her. In cases where there are no arbiters, the captains jointly fulfill that function. I think that if your team captain refused to co-operate, then s/he would be seen to be supporting abusive behaviour. The key is that you were doing something deliberately to make your opponent feel uncomfortable, outside the normal moves/procedures of chess, your opponent asked you to stop, which is his right under the laws of chess and you refused. That is really bad news. Most adults expect kids to try it sometimes and often they don't complain but if it's another kid you're doing it to, that could be seen as threatening behaviour.
I'm in USCF. My TD wouldn't care for such a stupid complaint.>>
Then your TD doesn't know the rules of chess. But since you live in the USA, wouldn't it be OK for your opponent just to have shot you? Sounds like your TD would think that's fine too. Anyway, it isn't up to the T.D. in the first instance. It's up to an arbiter.
Well, complaining about someone staring at you was a joke, a lot like this forum. Toomany people took it seriously.
Aug 9, 2019
0
#35
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Optimissed wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Optimissed wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Do you give him a stare that makes him unconfortable? I've actually thrown people off by staring at their eyes - an adult asked me to stop once and I said "no".
How about you?
According to the laws of chess, your game could have been awarded to your opponent. The procedure would be to inform the captains of your behaviour or if there was an arbiter present, inform him or her. In cases where there are no arbiters, the captains jointly fulfill that function. I think that if your team captain refused to co-operate, then s/he would be seen to be supporting abusive behaviour. The key is that you were doing something deliberately to make your opponent feel uncomfortable, outside the normal moves/procedures of chess, your opponent asked you to stop, which is his right under the laws of chess and you refused. That is really bad news. Most adults expect kids to try it sometimes and often they don't complain but if it's another kid you're doing it to, that could be seen as threatening behaviour.
I'm in USCF. My TD wouldn't care for such a stupid complaint.>>
Then your TD doesn't know the rules of chess. But since you live in the USA, wouldn't it be OK for your opponent just to have shot you? Sounds like your TD would think that's fine too. Anyway, it isn't up to the T.D. in the first instance. It's up to an arbiter.
Well, complaining about someone staring at you was a joke, a lot like this forum. Toomany people took it seriously.
Translation: I got caught, so now im gonna play it off like i was joking.
Aug 9, 2019
0
#36
unusualkid wrote:
OP is rated around 1600 USCF and guessing from this post around 10...
Very immature behavior, would not recommend and I definitely don't.
That's OK. In that case, you can just look at another forum.
You mentioned that I'm 1600, which is irrelevant to the discussion, but I believe it is to put you on a pedestal and just brag.
Aug 9, 2019
0
#37
IMBacon wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Optimissed wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Optimissed wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Do you give him a stare that makes him unconfortable? I've actually thrown people off by staring at their eyes - an adult asked me to stop once and I said "no".
How about you?
According to the laws of chess, your game could have been awarded to your opponent. The procedure would be to inform the captains of your behaviour or if there was an arbiter present, inform him or her. In cases where there are no arbiters, the captains jointly fulfill that function. I think that if your team captain refused to co-operate, then s/he would be seen to be supporting abusive behaviour. The key is that you were doing something deliberately to make your opponent feel uncomfortable, outside the normal moves/procedures of chess, your opponent asked you to stop, which is his right under the laws of chess and you refused. That is really bad news. Most adults expect kids to try it sometimes and often they don't complain but if it's another kid you're doing it to, that could be seen as threatening behaviour.
I'm in USCF. My TD wouldn't care for such a stupid complaint.>>
Then your TD doesn't know the rules of chess. But since you live in the USA, wouldn't it be OK for your opponent just to have shot you? Sounds like your TD would think that's fine too. Anyway, it isn't up to the T.D. in the first instance. It's up to an arbiter.
Well, complaining about someone staring at you was a joke, a lot like this forum. Toomany people took it seriously.
Translation: I got caught, so now im gonna play it off like i was joking.
Got caught doing what? Do tell, Mr. Bacon. I was talking about a scholastic tournament when I was 9 where the "staring" occurred. Just a funny thing I did at my first tournaments.
Why do people take this topic so seriously?
Aug 9, 2019
0
#38
AyushMChessMator wrote:
IMBacon wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Optimissed wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Optimissed wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Do you give him a stare that makes him unconfortable? I've actually thrown people off by staring at their eyes - an adult asked me to stop once and I said "no".
How about you?
According to the laws of chess, your game could have been awarded to your opponent. The procedure would be to inform the captains of your behaviour or if there was an arbiter present, inform him or her. In cases where there are no arbiters, the captains jointly fulfill that function. I think that if your team captain refused to co-operate, then s/he would be seen to be supporting abusive behaviour. The key is that you were doing something deliberately to make your opponent feel uncomfortable, outside the normal moves/procedures of chess, your opponent asked you to stop, which is his right under the laws of chess and you refused. That is really bad news. Most adults expect kids to try it sometimes and often they don't complain but if it's another kid you're doing it to, that could be seen as threatening behaviour.
I'm in USCF. My TD wouldn't care for such a stupid complaint.>>
Then your TD doesn't know the rules of chess. But since you live in the USA, wouldn't it be OK for your opponent just to have shot you? Sounds like your TD would think that's fine too. Anyway, it isn't up to the T.D. in the first instance. It's up to an arbiter.
Well, complaining about someone staring at you was a joke, a lot like this forum. Toomany people took it seriously.
Translation: I got caught, so now im gonna play it off like i was joking.
Got caught doing what? Do tell, Mr. Bacon. I was talking about a scholastic tournament when I was 9 where the "staring" occurred. Just a funny thing I did at my first tournaments.
Why do people take this topic so seriously?
Your story has more holes in it than my colander...
Aug 9, 2019
0
#39
IMBacon wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
IMBacon wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Optimissed wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Optimissed wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Do you give him a stare that makes him unconfortable? I've actually thrown people off by staring at their eyes - an adult asked me to stop once and I said "no".
How about you?
According to the laws of chess, your game could have been awarded to your opponent. The procedure would be to inform the captains of your behaviour or if there was an arbiter present, inform him or her. In cases where there are no arbiters, the captains jointly fulfill that function. I think that if your team captain refused to co-operate, then s/he would be seen to be supporting abusive behaviour. The key is that you were doing something deliberately to make your opponent feel uncomfortable, outside the normal moves/procedures of chess, your opponent asked you to stop, which is his right under the laws of chess and you refused. That is really bad news. Most adults expect kids to try it sometimes and often they don't complain but if it's another kid you're doing it to, that could be seen as threatening behaviour.
I'm in USCF. My TD wouldn't care for such a stupid complaint.>>
Then your TD doesn't know the rules of chess. But since you live in the USA, wouldn't it be OK for your opponent just to have shot you? Sounds like your TD would think that's fine too. Anyway, it isn't up to the T.D. in the first instance. It's up to an arbiter.
Well, complaining about someone staring at you was a joke, a lot like this forum. Toomany people took it seriously.
Translation: I got caught, so now im gonna play it off like i was joking.
Got caught doing what? Do tell, Mr. Bacon. I was talking about a scholastic tournament when I was 9 where the "staring" occurred. Just a funny thing I did at my first tournaments.
Why do people take this topic so seriously?
Your story has more holes in it than my colander...
You must have a really dysfunctional coriander...
Aug 9, 2019
0
#40
AyushMChessMator wrote:
IMBacon wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
IMBacon wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Optimissed wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Optimissed wrote:
AyushMChessMator wrote:
Do you give him a stare that makes him unconfortable? I've actually thrown people off by staring at their eyes - an adult asked me to stop once and I said "no".
How about you?
According to the laws of chess, your game could have been awarded to your opponent. The procedure would be to inform the captains of your behaviour or if there was an arbiter present, inform him or her. In cases where there are no arbiters, the captains jointly fulfill that function. I think that if your team captain refused to co-operate, then s/he would be seen to be supporting abusive behaviour. The key is that you were doing something deliberately to make your opponent feel uncomfortable, outside the normal moves/procedures of chess, your opponent asked you to stop, which is his right under the laws of chess and you refused. That is really bad news. Most adults expect kids to try it sometimes and often they don't complain but if it's another kid you're doing it to, that could be seen as threatening behaviour.
I'm in USCF. My TD wouldn't care for such a stupid complaint.>>
Then your TD doesn't know the rules of chess. But since you live in the USA, wouldn't it be OK for your opponent just to have shot you? Sounds like your TD would think that's fine too. Anyway, it isn't up to the T.D. in the first instance. It's up to an arbiter.
Well, complaining about someone staring at you was a joke, a lot like this forum. Toomany people took it seriously.
Translation: I got caught, so now im gonna play it off like i was joking.
Got caught doing what? Do tell, Mr. Bacon. I was talking about a scholastic tournament when I was 9 where the "staring" occurred. Just a funny thing I did at my first tournaments.
Why do people take this topic so seriously?
Your story has more holes in it than my colander...
You must have a really dysfunctional coriander...
I have never run across dysfunctional coriander. But it does have a lot of health benefits.
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-coriander.html
If you're staring at your opponent, your not concentrating on the board.
If you're allowing things like staring to bother you, you're not concentrating on the board.
Personally, I like playing people like this. Unfortunately, I haven't encountered a "starer" since i got past USCF D class.
True. They are the one who is losing concentration the most.