Chess

Vautrin · 02-26-2006, 04:51 PM

As some of you know, I am a reasonable chess player. Not the greatest, although I did manage to score a draw against a real GrandMaster in a rapid game. A good amateur, but nothing more.

I am a member of a small club of about 27 or so members. And I used to play with quite a bit of pleasure, but that has lessened this year. Mostly through bad communication from the guys who hold the official positions in the club (secretary, treasurer etc).

People getting angry over nothing, making false accusations. Add in a bit of back stabbing, and you can imagine how joyful it is to be playing there. Add in a few people with inflated egos and a person who is a career-wrecker (no matter where he works, he creates more conflict than he solves), and it becomes obvious how futile any attempt would be to try and make amends.

It has gotten so bad, that a relatively large number of people are quitting, including me. I have never been through something like that. It is a first for me.

It is so sad. It was the only club I have played for in my life. I started there when I was 11, and now I am 26. I hate closing this chapter. But I must.

So next Thursday I will be playing my last official chess game of this season, which ends in May. * sigh *

Hopefully I will be a bit less stressed in the future, and I hope I can spend the time where it counts. With my gf online, and here at Lifesupporters.

Luba · 02-26-2006, 05:02 PM

Vautrin, I am so sorry, I know how much you enjoy the game. I was fascinated with what you told me in 'Word Scramble' at IG! I just don't understand how the 'smallness' of people could ruin it for so many...

I know it won't be the same, but have you considered Chess online? I don't know anything about it, actually, but I believe you can play practically any game online..is that correct?

Anyway, their loss is our gain, I mean Lifesupporters gain, too!

Vautrin · 02-26-2006, 05:25 PM

Yes, you can play chess online. And it is quite fun. But you can barely play long games, and always have the issue of people cheating

(using a computer program to generate the moves).

it is also a social game. Drinking together, analyzing the moves, etc. Something you don't do online, at least usually. It is sad.

Perhaps in half a year, I might join a new club; or even found with a few others a new one. But we will have to start all over again. Should be manageable.

Luba · 02-26-2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vautrin

Yes, you can play chess online. And it is quite fun. But you can barely play long games, and always have the issue of people cheating

(using a computer program to generate the moves).

it is also a social game. Drinking together, analyzing the moves, etc. Something you don't do online, at least usually. It is sad.

Perhaps in half a year, I might join a new club; or even found with a few others a new one. But we will have to start all over again. Should be manageable.

I must be so naive but I don't understand why anyone would cheat at a game like Chess...what is the point if you don't win honestly? Yes, I can see it being a social game, much better than online.

I hope you find a good club to join, Vautrin!

BattleaxE · 02-26-2006, 07:17 PM

Why don't the people that have left your group start up your own group?

Merika · 02-26-2006, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BattleaxE

Why don't the people that have left your group start up your own group?

That's what I was thinking. Just put an ad in the paper and start your own group!!!

I didn't know you were 26....I thought you like 20!!

Vautrin · 02-26-2006, 11:22 PM

I wish I were just 20 Merika. Although, it will be at least a few months before I turn 27.

darkangelism · 02-27-2006, 01:57 AM

yeah that sucks, i hate when that kinda stuff happens. I have had it happen with a few clubs, not chess though, i havnt played that in a long time, i never could anticipate more then a few moves in advance, and so i stopped cause i wasnt getting better.

Samson · 02-27-2006, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vautrin

I wish I were just 20 Merika. Although, it will be at least a few months before I turn 27.

Yes, Vautrin, gettin' old is not for sissies, and you need all your strength at your age: best not waste any starting any new chess clubs!

Anyway, I'm no great chess player, and agree with Luba: Why the heck would anyone get their jollies from cheating at online chess? The game, like most games, is made to burn time: I can play for hours that become minutes.

Samson · 02-27-2006, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vautrin

I wish I were just 20 Merika. Although, it will be at least a few months before I turn 27.

Yes, Vautrin, gettin' old is not for sissies, and you need all your strength at your age: best not waste any starting any new chess clubs!

Anyway, I'm no great chess player, and agree with Luba: Why the heck would anyone get their jollies from cheating at online chess? The game, like most games, is made to burn time: I can play for hours that become minutes.

Duke · 02-27-2006, 07:15 PM

Is there any way to add a chess club online to one of these websites?

darkangelism · 02-28-2006, 01:38 AM

there probably is, though V would prolly beat us.

Duke · 02-28-2006, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkangelism

there probably is, though V would prolly beat us.

Maybe in the beginning but practice does make perfect.

I'm not a good chess player by any means but I still do enjoy the game now and again.

Vautrin · 02-28-2006, 05:10 AM

Unless you are a natural talent, it takes hundreds of hours to get the basics (motives, mating techniques), thousands of hours to get good at it, and even more time to get better. You really need to start very young, otherwise you will never get good at the game.

You can spend a lot of time on a game. And study the dynamics of the position, and try to make sense out of a position that arose with relative simple means. Which is much harder than it seems at first.

For most people it is not worth it, because it simply costs so much time, for relatively little reward; but you can of course play short games as well, that only last a few minutes. They are great fun too.

There are a lot of websites for playing chess. But most have the problem of cheating (Ego-thingy, something which is extremely common amongst chess players), or are commercial in nature (or both).
You can play on a lot of sites for free though, so anyone who is interested ...