Mute players

a what? mute   dodobedo dobedowaaaaa

xMenace, are you suggesting that you wouldnt have beaten them like that if they had a conversation with you?

I usually talk in my games, however recently I've been trying to get them all done quickly and so have fallen pretty silent.

Well maybe they are afraid that if they post "Hello", you'd answer:

YOU ****! THAT'S A PLACE FOR PLAYING CHESS, NOT CHIT-CHAT, YOU MORON!!!! SHUT UP FOR URWEURTTAWIUR!!!

There are different options for White in this openning. By move 4 it was clear this was a mute opponent. I could choose Nf3, Bc4, f4, or a host of playable offshoots. I wanted a position that would scream attack, put pressure on him, and be easy to exploit a mistake with. I chose Be3 because I've played White a lot vs. sicillian Dragons, and I've used Be3 a lot against Najdorfs and other Sicillians.

I'd likely have chosen f4 against most players.

I'd report abuse!

I generally try to say hello on move 1 and let them initiate further contact.

Hi or hello doesn't mean anything, like asking "how are you?" without any interest in answer. I still always answer same hi/hello, but don't feel that I should say anything first. If after the game opponent makes some smart comments about the opening(s), for example, shows knowledge, it often leads to nice, interesting, sometimes long conversation, I even sometimes give my blog URL, this is completely different matter. It didn't happen here, but happens sometimes on FICS.

I can take or leave the initial greeting.  But once that initial greeting comes, it must be addressed.  Silence from both parties is OK, but if one says hello, or good luck, and the other is silent, then that is just plain rude!

I don't really care if they say hello or not. If its a longer game then i'll usually say hi or somethin but shorter games it just becomes ridiculous unless a couple games are played.

My Best greeting is same as when opening up computer  i.e.Welcome! Everyone knows it worldwide.

more and more I use the disable chat option.  I'm here to play chess, not socialize; of course this does not include my friends list who I love to socialize with.  some of the comments I get during games I can live without; therefore I choose more and more to disable.  but I definitely see the other side of this debate, to me it's just a personal choice.

Good manners never hurt anyone. And if I can't stick around for a chat or a rematch I always send a polite message that I have to go.

Essential Chess Type - http://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/its-another-rollover

Extended Profile - http://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/who-is-player-x

I enjoy greeting my opponent and telling him/her I hope they enjoy the game. If it's a person from a foreign country I'll try to learn a greeting in their native tongue for fun. It usually gets a positive reaction. I'll ask about the weather or how long they've played. What I DON'T want to be is distracting, however. If someone blows a move because you were telling them a joke or whatever, that's no good. 

I don't always send a trophy, though, unless there was a characteristic of their play that was especially admirable. Great endgame, great combinations... but if I lose because of blunders sending them a trophy commemorating the blunder seems almost like taking the wind out of their win. "You only won because I screwed up!" So, I'd rather send trophies for solid wins.

The topic of weather is always a useful ploy during the game. When my position on the board looks bad, I try a comment like "the clouds are gathering" to lighten the tension.

I find self-disparaging comments always work.

"CHESSMANSHIP. The late Stephen Potter, Field Martial of Gamesmanship, conceived this classic chess ploy before Bobby Fischer pushed his first pawn. Challenged, the Summer Gamesman makes three random moves and resigns.

Summer Gamesman: You're bound to take my bishop after 16 moves, unless . . . unless . . . And even then I lose my castle three moves later.

Opponent: Oh, yes.

S.G.: Unless you sacrifice there, which, of course, you wouldn't.

Opponent: No.

S.G.: Pretty situation. Very pretty situation. Do you mind if I take a note of it? The Chess News usually publishes any stuff I send them."

Just had it done to me, twice . Both times the other player had closed the window before I could even congratulate them. I am such an umimportant player?

I aim to get my congratulations in BEFORE my opponent checkmates me.

You're so needy.

I completely agree. All it takes is a courteous hello and good game. Its just good sportsmanship. Beyond that, all chat is optional.