Looking for a group

Literally thousands of groups out there. Many inactive (in spite of interesting ideas on their home page), many just far too big to feel part of something.

I'm looking for a group that can offer me what I like in a real life chess club...friendly faces when I pop in, a place too show off wins (or to wince at my defeats), interesting discussions and a place which makes every game for the team feel like it really matters.

There must be groups like this...come find me please

regarding THAT as a group admin, it is Just as important to be an active member than to find a group that is active.

to much of the time, when I accept a member to a group- they don't show up and say anything.  that don't show wins, they don't play team matches, they don't participate At all.

everyone is part of the solution when it comes to being active. every one.

Even real chess clubs are no longer like the chess clubs that you describe.

@thegreat_patzer : perhaps groups worry about number of members too much. Players need to know what is expected from them. Too much tolerance reduces the value of being a member, and discourahes those who ARE contributing actively. Prune off the dead wood!

@Ziryab: if people want such a place, then they will find it or create it. If I need to, I'll do it myself...seems like this place lends itself to whatever we have the enthusiasm to want badly enough.

@flinch.

I adamently agree.  our group is 28 members.  thats not many at all right?  but we know each other- and we make sure people are active.  there's alot of thinking in our little group.

the problem with YOU then isn't that busy, social groups don't exist- its getting the invite from such a group.  getting in is a little harder than just saying you want to be in a group. 

my suggestions is this, become a friend to someone that you like and send pms often,  if you want a place where you can share the triumph of victory or the sting of defeat- look to share that with someone else.  this is the heart of what makes a group tick and if you can't do it with someone you can't do it with a group.

Alternately, blog about it.

and that is even easier, because you don't need to know someone- and you might find a like-minded person as you blog.

anyways, as for getting rid of most of the (inactive) group; most chess.com groups aren't willing to do that- bc they would prefer to be thought of a success story that is "wildly" growing.

like a chessplayer wants to become a stronger player and have a higher rating- chess groups naturally want to grow and get more members.

That sounds a very good policy! 28 active and sharing is plenty.

The "problem with me" isn't one! ;) I'll prove myself in the groups I'm already in, find people I like and look into their groups. I thought this thread might save me te, and be seen by someone who thinks "This is the kind of person we would like in the group" saving me time, and helping me to find a like-minded group that I might otherwise be unaware of...but I appreciate your input.

First thing is to finish a few games and atart my climb to GREATNESS ;)

BUMP! ;)

The OTB group is a quality group aimed at active OTB players. However, you need to have been a chess.com member for a minimum of 6 months to apply.

We also require applicants to disclose their ID before considering their application.

Membership is around 20 people.

I'm in no rush to find tgecright group...I've joined a few that seem promising. I'll see if any fit the bill for me, but I don't expect demanding groups to welcome me right now, I've just arrived. I'm here to play chess..I'll do that while I'm searching/deciding ;)

@Nicetnunc I'm only really interested in improving my otb skills too. I mostly play games here as if they were otb (I don't use databases, reference books, and I analyse and move in games without moving the pieces...except for some exceptionally interesting/complicated positions where I decide what I would play otb then have a look on a real life board to dig into it properly...I figure actually working at a boatd can never be bad for me)).

How exactly to you aim at OTB play in your group?

Bump...

People in the group are active OTB players. We share OTB games, analysis, do some group analysis through Skype, and try various training techniques (some individual, some in groups).

The purpose of the group is to share games, analysis and training ideas rather than to play on the Internet (we don't play team matches or Vote Chess for example). We do play some online games among the group from time to time, but this is a secondary activity.

i created a whatsap chess group , if u wanna join contact me

No thanks. No whatsapp. Just good people hanging out together hete wouldbe fine ;)

@hicetnunc - that sounds like a good thing you've got going there. Luck to you. I agree that the strain and work, and joy (or dismay!) of an otb game with a real live realtime person are one of the best things chess can offer.

Bump (!)

Found a couple of nice groups...but I've also joined a few while waiting for a better offer (yeah I mean 'Bump')

May I invite you  .....I know exactly the groups you are looking for 

@FlinchAndYouMissIt I have PMed u a group which u will like.