Internet chess feels so empty

What can someone do to find enjoyment in chess when all they have access to is Internet chess. It feels so fake all the time, no one cares about anyone else and there's so much disrespect and cheap play. I love the game but as a beginner I obviously suck at it. Instead of a community to help build the enjoyment and learning however I'm surrounded by trolls and disrepectful opponents. There is literally no clubs in my area and none of my friends can play chess above a 800 rating. I'm stuck at my rating level and I know I'm much better, but I have no guidance or any care left to continue. How do you cope with that type of feeling in chess, I'm obviously not trying to be titled and I just play it to socialize and have fun, but because it's and competitive sport all I get are douche bag jerks that don't care about respect and only want cheap victories. I think I'm starting to hate this game, and it's because of the people not the game itself. Anyone ever been to this mindstate, I'm curious if you decided it was worth it to keep trying and playing.

It surely feels empty to me too. I don't get to see the opponent. I don't get to share a handshake. I guess this virtuality brought it cheaper. But I guess, when I don't have a chance to play a quality game anyway, a fun 3 minute game during the bus transfer could be my satisfaction.

Not at all ! If you learn with someone , Not at all.

I'll play you and try to help you, we can play unrated games with 1 to 3 day per move increments and I'll offer some feedback if you'd like to progress without playing a jerk.

Hmm I see your point, but the thing I don't understand is why chess seems to be more about becoming the best possible you can be instead of having fun. I have been told I don't have a drive for chess before, but yet I can never stop playing it and I don't let a day go by when I don't play at least one game. It's maybe a sort of addiction to the competiton aspect that you were referring to, but it's double edged for me. I feel awesome when I'm doing well but miserable when I get in streaks of games that I know I played way below my potential. I really don't mind losing but it's the emptyness of the opponent being just some ghost that I can't ask a question to or even laugh at a dumb blunder with. It's just me having to sit there and think about how dumb that game was. Now that's obviously a personal dilemma but I'm a very social person so it's been a big factor for me and there doesn't seem to be many players at my level that like to talk at all, it's all play and move on, no rematch, no talking (unless trolling). I understand people have schedules I don't mind the ocssional person that plays that way but I haven't found anyone in weeks that has the same chess mentality as myself, I feel like and outlier.

I think I might take you up on thay

Keep in mind that games originally were invented not to get better at them, but to spend time while having fun instead of boredom.

 

If you feel you're not having fun with internet chess, maybe some other game will be more to your liking ?

Lots of gaming going on via internet, some of it with voice chat which might help you with it feeling less empty.

You could try looking at other chess sites (as an alternative), but since you've paid for Premium Membership - give it more time, and you'll find others of like-faith.

You've just found a partner @baptistpreach. Maybe you'll find players in the groups you're in.

Dont confuse the game of chess with the internet.  There is a reason the things you encounter online dont happen OTB.  The annonymity of the internet does things to some people that causes them to act differently online, as opposed to in person.  Annonymity, and privacy are powerful weapons.

Welcome to chess improvement and the internet! If chess improvement were easy for everyone, and didn't feel like hitting your head against a brick wall sometimes (or very often) everyone would be a strong player. 

There are plenty of players online who will give you good advice. You need to ignore the trolls if you're going to be upset about them. 

I am not bothered by the trolls or jerks, but with the dishonest play that is going on. And also, people who think they are so great because they have high fast chess ratings. The game in general is dead with all of the opening memorization and engine use.

it would be bad to focus on that Derek.

I'm kind of curious about the kind of game the OP seeks.  I know for myself; I like it when my opponent is chillax; takes winning or losing like a man and banters about what could have happened.

 

post-mortems (as they are called) NEVER happen online.  but they do with many good players, espacially in a club.

 

I'm not sure how to change THAT.

my advice is to try to find people that you feel are polite and instructive and find out if you can play chess at roughly the same time.  it is Definitely possible to find and play with online friends.

People are going to cheat.  You either accept that or let it ruin your playing expereience.  As far as opening memorization?  None of us are good enough that memorizing openings matters.  We arent playing GM's.  

 

If that is because face-to-face factor, then maybe try starting a video conference session during the game.  Or at least a voice link (e.g. simple phone call).  I think that may help you enjoy chess more.

 

I don't think I'd enjoy chess as much if all I have access to is Internet chess and probably wouldn't be playing the game.  You must be pretty dedicated.  No harm in trying the video/voice conferencing.

 

skype is good.

I've done chess having a skype session going on at the same time.

if you meet the right kind of sociable guy I could see that working well.

 

but I'll say it (since I won't say in other places).... chess is almost always played in silence.  its a game of concentration.   look at any serious tournament. its quiet.

 

so.... allegations that internet game without a lot of talk is "fake"  thats simply untrue. if anything- talking alot during a game is fake. 

 

I don't want drawn into another thread- but I advise the OP that chatting during games does NOT make the game more real.

 

A post-mortem of a non-OTB game is best conducted by yourself and an engine to check your thinking. Unless you want a coach or someone to give you instructive advice, there's really no need to have an equal player who isn't a good instructor looking at the game with you.

Firstly I am a very busy person outside of chess so it's hard to just find random friends online that also have skype, secondly that's tournament chess, that's for people who are very serious about chess and I would be just as intense and quite in a tournament, but when I see check chess clubs online or people who go have fun at the bars and play I see a much more enjoyable chess. Talking and smack talking but all in good fun, and learning the game as you go. What you mentioning is the super serious chess player. I have another part of my life that is #1 and that I take far more seriously, this is just a hobby for me as it should be at my low rating. While I appreciate your comments your coming from a different chess mentality all together

Why not, what's wrong with "oh man you tore my queen side up what happened".."oh you let the h-pawn get to far it's a pretty common trick in the xyz-opening" ..."oh thanks mate wanna play another?". I'm not trying to go over the whole game with anyone that's probably boring for most people

If someone doesnt understand what +.4 means, what good is the engine?

 If you ever want to play chess via skype

thats fine.  I really don't mind playing chess this way.

 

as I said I've done it.  some of this is not about you.  but do not mistake quietness for an insult.  we all have to choose how we express ourselves, right?  its not so easy. 

and if we're talking about this specific place... this convo is being sent all around the world.  I often delete things I was about to say.