Is losing really that awful?

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Avatar of Mirrorglass

I've been playing live chess here fairly regularly. Lately, however, I've noticed a nasty trend; very often, when I'm winning a game, my opponent will just disconnect and let the time run out. Of course, it only wastes a couple minutes for me, but in the long run, it does get annoying.

So what gives? Does being rude really make you feel better about a lost blitz game? Why do you play in the first place if you can't take a loss?

I understand there are always some assholes out there, but this has happened at least a dozen times during the past week. Or is there some server problem behind this? This always seems to happen at a time where resigning would be logical.

Avatar of Kernicterus

Well, I've disconnected a couple times when I was winning.  Nobody ever dc on you when they are winning? 

And yes, losing is awful.  Sometimes you even have to just swallow and hold your breath to block out the pain...or purse your lips and go into a numb state of disbelief and denial...depending on how you lose.  It always hurts a little to click the resign button, so I guess some people aren't good at facing reality and might prefer to flee the scene...like a deadbeat dad.

Avatar of Shivsky

Even worse when somebody runs the clock in a losing position in a G/60 or higher live tournament.

Seperating the ego from chess is mostly futile.  Some of us internalize this anger from losing and redirect it and if we're lucky, use it to never make the same mistakes again.  Some even get enough adrenalin surging through to make them even more focussed for their next game (I read once that Kasparov was most deadly after he lost a game ... his next opponent would be dealing with a monster!)

Unfortunately, the vast majority will misdirect this anger and lash out. Losing sucks the most to those who don't know what to make of it.

Avatar of smileative

losin' is just part of the game - any game - whenever you start a game of any kind you is tryin' to win, an' you knows that your adversary is on the same track. Nobody can win all the time (except me at trivial pursuit - still undefeated - wah heyy!! ) but if you're not prepared to face the music when you've lost, then you shouldn't strap your boots on in the first place Smile

Avatar of TilBurgCity

Hi fooks, I just won a game and read his/her reaction:

Vladimir1971: f..k your DEAD, BLOODY, mother !!!

Vladimir1971: and f..k all your DEAD family !!!

Vladimir1971: ustasku ti mamu jebem

What kind of people are those (losers...haha) after losing a game?