wouldn't play otb chess if you paid me

The goal is to get to the other side man

In my experience there are about as many asses per capita in the online chess scene as there are in the OTB scene, the chief advantage in online play of course being not having to see, hear or smell my opponent. That being said, I also enjoy playing chess over the board, with a friend or in tournaments. It is satisfying  (win or lose) to think over a position on a live board and move real pieces with my hands; no amount of inconsiderate dirtbags will drive me from this hobby that I enjoy so much.

Have you considered starting your own chess group, perhaps a non smoking one, with work associates? Perhaps you can find a pleasant venue for some casual OTB games with like minded players, if you can find them. Good luck!

playing chess face to face is good but if you enjoy playing the game it shouldnt matter. 

More if anything, it's easier to get away with it online, due to the anonymity.

Concerning cigars and chess...

I would never condone someone smoking a cigar during a chess game...with the exception of mutual agreement.

My brother and I recently met at a premium cigar store, where they have a walk-in humidor, leather sofas/chairs and a brass/marble chess set.

We are just occasional cigar smokers. We each bought a couple of handmade Dominican Republic premium cigars...toro maduros...and, along with coffee, played chess.

Life is good!

Yeeeah, thats the type of chess i'd wanna play. Browns and reds, black and whites, grey smoke circling, coffee pumping.

When a fellow man decides to act like a dickhead my SOP is to treat him like one (I have a lot more tolerance for women and children).  This is why I prefer to play OTB. 

Grand prize comment on this thread. from the OP:

I have had some bizarre encounters in chess. No doubt about it. If I were a Nazi war-criminal hunter chess clubs would be my FIRST place of investigation!!

Unbelievable!

I play otb chess here in Brooklyn at the Midwood Branch of the BPL. Smoking and clocks are not allowed. Playing face to face otb chess is great fun altho some of the people are a$$hole$. But most of the people come to have fun and play chess.  

To linuxblue1:

Your issue with the cigar smoke is a reason to quit playing chess at the club you're playing it... or maybe more specifically, to simply quit playing those opponents.  It's not a reason to quit OTB chess.  Most clubs, tournaments, and other places to play chess don't allow smoking at all.

Your issue with the clock is a reason to learn how to set up, operate, and use a digital clock.  Again, not a reason to quite OTB chess.  What you should have done is learned how to do this before entering your first tournament.

"Real" chess is played over the board... not online  Don't give up on OTB chess, simply because you had a couple of bad experiences, both of which are easily remedied.

I think you are wasting your words. He also believes chess clubs are infested with Nazis.

 How widespread is cheating on Chess.com?

Go to the cheating forum, if that is of interest to you.

I'll play OTB if you all get together, and pay me.

Hurray!

interesting

HELP HELP !!! The Trolls are on the lose Again ! ( Oh the Humanity --- Oh the Humanity  lol).

You the troll.

I have never played a game online and probably never will. There are too many phony chess players who use a database, analysis boards and other methods while playing...not to mention the down right cheaters who use an engine.

It's all too easy to have a second tab open in Internet Explorer with Chess.com's strong computer playing the rest of the game out for you.

My My My, sensitive are we not mister ----- ? ( and rather a large Ego as well if you feel that this is only meant for you  lol ). There are lots of Trolls in these forums, so no need to take this personally  ROFL.