Courtesy in Chess

I hate to have to write an article like this on chess.  In my opinion a chess article should include something on the game itself such as openings, strategy, tactics, and etc.  No one should have to write an article on common courtesy.

Last night I saw a few incidents at the chess club that disturb me. 

The first incident I saw was in the under-1600 section I witnessed a guy throwing a fit because his opponent did not "call" mate.  If you cannot see mate the only person you should be mad at is yourself for I'm sorry to say--for being so ignorant.  If you cannot see mate it's time to start from scratch and relearn the game.  So, don't lay the blame on your opponent for your defeciency.  It's really a reflection on the victimization of our society.  When someone makes a mistake or gets mad they look for someone else to blame.

The second incident was one player who appeared either to be taunting or making fun of his opponent as his opponent was thinking.  This might have been done in fun, but this is a rated-game not a game played at home.  I have to ask myself was this in fun or did he want an edge on his opponent who only had eight minutes on his clock to his 30 minutes.  He was also talking to his opponent at the same time.  I don't know if the "favor" was returned.  I don't know the whole story, but that's what I witnessed.  Personally, I don't see the need to talk or to take such actions during a rated game whether it's friendly or not.

The third incident was a little "spat" between the players on board 2 shortly after the game was over.  Once again, I can't say much because I don't have the full story on what happened.

You could also go back to last week where one guy got angry and scattered the pieces off the board.  I believe this occurred before the game was decided.  If you have an issue with your opponent than get the tournament director.  Let's use reason not anger to solve our issues.  It sounds to me that once again someone trys to make the victim out of themselves.  Oh!  They didn't lose the game.  I lost the game because my opponent adjusted his queen.  Geez, man!  Get over it!  Once again if you have an issue with your opponent adjusting his queen then get the tournament director.

But what I can say is that the actions of some of these people would make a saint angry.  Sometimes, they slam the pieces down and grin with a wide smile with blooming ego when they are winning.  They operate under the rules.  Many of their actions probably aren't illegal, but they certainly are unethical.  Chess is a game not professional wresting.  Please leave the antics at home and let's just have fun and play chess.

There's a few people who I describe as Las Vegas street people.  Their actions and attitude are truly low and it annoys me.  But they are who they are and they are on a lower-spiritual vibration and they are just being as low are their nature is.

If you ask me, I think it's time that something is said.  It's at the point now where it's getting out of hand.  It takes away from the fun of the game. 

I was taking a break from the game because I needed a change; however, with what I witnessed last night I have decided to take a very long break from the game.  It might be a year or it might be longer.  I don't know.  I come to play chess and enjoy myself not to witness the actions of idiots.

Several people have made the comment that I'm avoiding playing because of rating points, suggesting that I'm afraid of losing points.  I seached my soul and asked myself if they were indeed correct and I have to say no, they are wrong.  I'm tired of the game, but now I'm sick and tired of the drama.  I can stay home and play online.  In fact there's probably less drama online although you do get your share of abuse.  But something is wrong when you have antics in over-the-board play.  I've never seen so much antics in a tournment before.  It appears to be growing from week to week.  I don't know.  It might be a result of the coming holiday season when people are known to get "on the edge."  Or it could be becoming a part of the culture there.

I don't want anything to do with it.  It has gotten to a point where this issue needs to be addressed before we get more "clowns" in this three-ring circus.  That's what it's becoming.  Soon the room will be full of clowns because most people will get tired of seeing it.

cheers

Paul