The "Alienated Chess Loser" Stereotype

Most of the kids that play chess in High School are pretty normal people, with normal social lives.  A lot of people quit playing chess in college (and that is natural, as who needs to play chess when there's keg parties every weekend, hot girls, and other things going on I probably shouldn't mention here) but even those that continue to play chess into their early 20's and college still are relatively normal people with normal lives.

It's mostly the middle aged chess players that give rise to the stereotypes of the "chess loser".  You know the type, the poorly dressed schmuck sitting by himself at Starbucks with a bad comb-over and drooling all over himself staring into his pocket chess set with the little peg-pieces.

Are people like that vocal members of the internet chess forums?

In any case, what are your thoughts on my thesis?  Do you agree, disagree, or not care?  What is your impression?

Why was this comment deleted?

I've played lots of chess at Starbucks and have never met anyone who fits this description.

In fact, now that I think a little longer, I think most people have a special respect for serious chess players because they think you have to be really smart or something to play.

I think if a chess player is feeling alianated, it is not because of chess, it is because of their personality.

BTW- are YOU feeling alienated or dejected in some way? This is the second post you made today about losers/trolls.

Well, the "troll" vs. "misunderstood" thing describes me.  Not so much the "chess loser" since I rarely play chess.  I was more thinking of some of the people on this site.  The younger ones seem more normal.

Well, I can't speak for others here. But, I for one would hardly consider myself 'normal'.

I think what you might be calling 'normal' is really just a lack of a certain amount of uniqueness that comes with age.

By this I don't mean to say that younger people are not unique. What I am saying is that as you get older, your life experiences change you in ways that are unique to you. So, as you get older, your uniqueness becomes more defined and apparent to those who meet you.

And I guess your statement ' Not so much the "chess loser" since I rarely play chess.  I was more thinking of some of the people on this site" is from your "social incompatibility" that might make you appear to be a troll. Because I'm certain many Chess.com users are going to take exception to being called chess losers.

This stereotype is not valid.  I have been playing on chess.com for over 5 years now and have taken the time to interview people who are quite social and contributing members of their society offline and on.  

Chess, if anything, is becoming a hipster sport.  I find people playing the game in cafes and parks.  I think that as you get older you will see that the intellect and skill that most chess players have are revered by employers, friends, and future partners.

--Veggiegirlie

Actually, I will be blogging on this topic in a few days.  Feel free to check it out later.

i aint no hipster

You never know. 'aint' Using, wife-beater wearing guys with the word 'big' in their name could be the next fad.

lol kleelof :D  

I am not saying ALL Chess players are but that it has become very popular and people who you would not suspect as chess players are being turned onto the sport.  I am using the term "hipster" loosely.  Not meaning to offend anyone in any way. After all, I am a chess addict.  OBVIOUSLY.

It's a perfectly acceptable contraction, and even used correctly above.  Ain't=am not.

You would have been better off criticizing the double negative if you're inclined to be the grammar police.

It's pretty accurate in my experience.

Sorry the joke was over your head.

You made a joke?  Are you sure?

People are sometimes intimated by chess players because of the assumption that they are way smarter than them. However that does not stop them from being anti-social. It can even make shy people talk more, because in OTB, people usually say good luck and shakes hands. This opens the door for anti-social kids to be social kids.

The stereotype of the geek nerd awkward anti-social kid that plays chess is only true in movies and tv shows. It seems that you have took fiction and made into fact.

Oh, is that so you donut eating, puck slapping canuck.

Oh..I forgot beer drinking too.

I remember the McKenzie Brothers beer roullete and 12 days of christmas.