I think the main reason is lack of chess clubs and time, like in my country there are only a few clubs and not all are easily accessible. Also, time is a big factor, playing in club requires more time and maybe more responsibilities compared to just playing online like correspondence chess where it is up to you when to move(within an alloted time ofc) and you can have more friends online since people come from different countries.
Why play chess online?
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Chess Online is the most easiest way to play chess for a millions of chess players all over the world.
Do you still get a strong sense of 'community' coming here to play? It seems a really friendly forum to be part of, do you notice any difference in the kinds of people you meet here online in comparison to those at clubs?
big difference. at the clubs there's atmosphere, sense of humour, real competition, online it's nowhere near as cool.
PawnstarBrooks wrote:
Do you still get a strong sense of 'community' coming here to play? It seems a really friendly forum to be part of, do you notice any difference in the kinds of people you meet here online in comparison to those at clubs?
looking at your profile you don't seem to be playing Chess online at all - so why did you join the site?
did you check the join date at all?
Nov 12, 2012
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#8
I don't have access in my town to OTB chess, even though it's a college town. Online is a great resource to play people and not have to hurry up and make a move, like live chess on this site. I can open the game, then open the analyze board if needed, and move pieces around, seeing what the board will look like if he reacts one way or a different way to what I do. Other than playing against a computer where I would just get taken to the cleaners, it's my only way to play.
I don't play chess! I'm just interested in it as I'm currently basing a research project at uni on chess,
Nov 12, 2012
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#10
It's simple convenience and time. Though I have not yet joined as a premium member (I intend to do so today), I have played previously on other sites.
The nearest actual club to me is in Allentown, PA--30 miles away. To play in their weekend tournaments, I have to leave my house at 12:00 to register for the 1st round at 1:00. Then I'm there until 5:00 or so. Then it's about 40 minutes home. Plus I have to be a USCF member.
Online I can play at any time. In my jammies. No traveling. Don't get me wrong; the club atmosphere is great, but I just can't fit it in.
Nov 12, 2012
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#11
I'm addicted and the local club only plays 1 time per week. If there was a club for everyday I would definetly go there every day.
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Ease of play, no entry fees, millions of different opponents.
There are no clubs where I live
Exactly! :)
Haha thanks for the link! I'm doing an 'observational' project for my masters degree, we have to pick a subject (anysubject) and simply observe. We've been to a chess club to experience the atmosphere and tension of a tournament, here I'm observing the general online aspect of chess to find out why this place holds such a huge population, I honestly thought it was a game installed somewhere on everyones computer, however people still come onto chess.com to play against the computer as apparently there are other tools players can use to practice and research the game, for example the forums seem to be filled with people just wanting to help each other.
This is a genuine question, and I am genuinely interested, if you want me to spam my website to prove I'm a student I will! Im just looking for basic information about the online part of the game.
Why do you play chess online?
Lack of confidence in playing at a club?
Convenient, anytime access etc?
Thanks!