Ladies, would you date a chess player well below your rating?

Tell the truth!

LOL!  So true...

I really hope they will.

That reminds me guys. A little heads up: Do not mention you play chess in your relationships with women. I made the mistake of mentioning it the first week and she started screaming, "What else don't I know about you?!"

lol...seriously..O_O

ahh.. so that's what most guys worry about..haha

The fact that you felt compelled to ask this question tells me that this is the least of your problems.

Good luck, dude. You'll need it.

 She is so right

I was addressing the "ladies", but I do appreciate your input as well. ;) You seem to be offended by the question. Why does it offend you? Is it because it's embarrassing to admit that when you see a guy with a rating of 586 you make a small mental note to never have that first lunch with him?

Blimey Guys!     For a start off, never date a woman who plays chess(!)...most I have met are just weird....which actually accounts for 95% of man players also....complete weirdo's that I definitely wouldn't let my children learn chess from.....

Obviously when you actually meet a woman...(and to be frank for the 95% of weird chess-players, they have hardly a hope of doing so)...is too not mention chess straight away, although the topic will come up at some point, met by an incredulous look of 'are you telling me that you won't see me this weekend because your playing in a chess tournament in 'Boston' (or replace with any other city/town/church hall/community center!).  Normal woman DO NOT get it and will continually plot to ruin this chess addiction...and if the sex is great, then it will generally work, especially in my case.......Now married with 2 Boys, my chess has dwindled since the first year I met her.....no more tournaments, no playing for clubs in far away places....and the only avenue I have for my small addiction is to play here on chess.com (!)........

Still bottom line Guys is that 'there is more to life than Chess'....really!   Unless your heading for GM status...don't take chess too seriously.....after a while you will not miss those weekends away playing....eating crap food....losing on time in a winning position......talking with sad freaky people that have social integration problems....believe me it's better being in a warm cosy bed with a sexy 'happy' woman!!!

Hammy

Hammy, Or as your happy wife calls you, "The Hammer." How the hell are you? The people at the club miss you very much. You know, when you came to the club its stature was immediately elevated. That probably explains why you left the club.

Great thread.

"Obviously when you actually meet a woman...(and to be frank for the 95% of weird chess-players, they have hardly a hope of doing so)...is too not mention chess straight away,"... Bullshit. Make it the first thing you mention. If she's too quick to judge then she's not worth your time. Be who you are, don't let some woman change you. Go to that tournament in Boston, and visit a whore house on the way, you'll be twice as satisfied.

Oooh, interesting topic.  

1.  I used to think it was hot if a guy was a chess player.  Not so much anymore.  But if the guy is hot and plays chess...yes, I would think that was super super hot.

2.  I used to feel repulsed by the idea of dating a guy who is not at least a few hundred rating points better.  Yet, a year back...I tried to stretch out a chess game with a very desirable boy...just to stare at him longer and make more eye contact.  So I guess I didn't mind that he wasn't very good.

3.  If an average looking guy said "yes, I'm an IM or a GM"...yes, that would make him far more attractive to me, though not automatically date material.  

Of all the attributes I consider when accepting a date, chess-playing ability doesn't even make the list.

If he mentions it later on then that's cool. We'll have something in common regardless of his skill level.

i always mention it its never bothered them really i think it just depends on the type of girl you go for. haha

Very entertaining, indeed, but, I must say, there IS a way around the perceived undesirableness—not sure if that’s a word, but I’ll take it—of men playing chess, competitively, who are also seeking a suitable Life partner who appreciates their need to play, period. Simple: just find a not-completely-weird female competitor who also has this need, and away you go. Now, I said, “simple”, but, I realize that doesn’t, of course, equate to being easy... (Unlikely, yes. Improbable even, but not entirely out of the question...)

A few days ago, for instance, I piqued the interest of a now-inactive, but reasonably-strong (Class A) player, who I think I can convince to return to tournament play. (After stumping him with a particularly silly puzzle, he asked, “What sorcery is this?!”, and the chase was on, hee hee.) Further de-icing his fragile and previously-obliterated heart, I sweetened the deal with a USCF membership renewal, and, so far so good. I have no ulterior motives, only the elusive quest for a lifetime Mixed Doubles partner =)

We’ll see how it goes. Ultimately, however, it would be interesting to find out if ever I might announce, “Mate”, and hear in response, “I’d love to!” That would be the day... (Definitely a keeper.)