4 ms·

Chess is today more popular than ever, with online playing platforms like chess.com or lichess.org, where you can find an opponent in seconds and easily analyze

by vfc1 7y ago

Chess is today more popular than ever, with online playing platforms like chess.com or lichess.org, where you can find an opponent in seconds and easily analyze the game afterwards. The short time formats like Rapid 15 minutes with 10 seconds increment per move is my favorite, but the most popular format is Blitz, which is say 5 minutes with 5 seconds increment. You can play even bullet of 2 minutes with 1 second increment, or even no increment formats. You can play chess anywhere, at the bus stop, in the dentist office, take video lessons, do practical drills, puzzles. Via the rating system, you are always matched to an opponent of near-equivalent strength. The rating system is build so that a 200 point difference means that the higher-rated player will on average win 3 out of 4. Most opponents are less than 100 points apart, so it's typically a 50/50 chance that you will win a given game. Chess only looks dull for those who don't play it, it can be super exciting. But the classical format, with a physical board, and 5 hour games? I think that will become less and less of a thing.

michalu 7y ago
On the contrary I promised myself to only play chess over the physical board. Playing online started to feel like an addiction. Most people end up playing blitz or rapid which even reinforces the addictive behaviour. Over time I felt like there's not much difference in the way I play chess to playing any other online game. But there's nothing better than meeting a friend in a cafe and have a good game over the board. Such game forces you to focus even more because you have that friendly rivalry going on and you've been keeping a score. I can imagine real competitions are even more intense. That's something different than playing against some anonymous nickname online. Paul Morphy said "ability to play chess is a sign of a gentleman. The ability to play chess well is a sign of a wasted life" I personally get much more of what I expect from chess when playing in person. Playing online has become a compulsive behaviour and quite a meaningless activity once you reach certain level in ratings - the point when you learned the most chess can teach you about life and strategy but getting better requires harder and harder work while lower and lower return other than bettering your ratings. So no, for me the classical format must live on else chess will become replaceable. PS: I encourage everyone to grab a board, go to the nearest cafe or wherever, open a nice bottle of your favourite beverage and have some good battle with a friend over the board.
- 6thaccount2 7y ago
  I have a decent amount of friends. Of the ones who live nearby, none play chess. There are some chess players in my city, but I haven't the time for that level of commitment. Playing online via an app with up to 24 hours per move and in-app chatting is best for me. Sure the person can cheat, but I assume most would rather play fairly and win of their own accord rather than a meaningless win via cheating.
  - michalu 7y ago
    I got a friend of mine into chess. First, I beat him easily. Turned out he's competitive and while I was abroad for 6 months he trained hard to beat me. When I got back the games became competitive and while playing chess we ended up having a business idea and we started a business. Now 6 months later it earns both of us about what's an average salary here + pays another employee. He in turn played his cousin while I was away. They got together after since childhood and started going rafting and other adventures. I know a bunch of stories like that. All sorts of things can happen that won't happen online. Of course I played online too, and them also ... to improve. I think even if you think you don't have friends it's good to just play anybody who's down for it. Or join a chess club generally inquire who knows chess when you meet some new cool people.
wyclif 7y ago
I've been using lichess training for the past few months; doing at least 50 puzzles per day has improved my game so much lately. You can do 50 offline so it's great when you're riding public transportation or taking a break from work.
new2628 7y ago
The paradox is that something can be "dying" and "more popular than ever" at the same time.

by vfc1 7y ago

michalu 7y ago

On the contrary I promised myself to only play chess over the physical board. Playing online started to feel like an addiction. Most people end up playing blitz or rapid which even reinforces the addictive behaviour. Over time I felt like there's not much difference in the way I play chess to playing any other online game. But there's nothing better than meeting a friend in a cafe and have a good game over the board. Such game forces you to focus even more because you have that friendly rivalry going on and you've been keeping a score. I can imagine real competitions are even more intense. That's something different than playing against some anonymous nickname online. Paul Morphy said "ability to play chess is a sign of a gentleman. The ability to play chess well is a sign of a wasted life" I personally get much more of what I expect from chess when playing in person. Playing online has become a compulsive behaviour and quite a meaningless activity once you reach certain level in ratings - the point when you learned the most chess can teach you about life and strategy but getting better requires harder and harder work while lower and lower return other than bettering your ratings. So no, for me the classical format must live on else chess will become replaceable. PS: I encourage everyone to grab a board, go to the nearest cafe or wherever, open a nice bottle of your favourite beverage and have some good battle with a friend over the board.

6thaccount2 7y ago
I have a decent amount of friends. Of the ones who live nearby, none play chess. There are some chess players in my city, but I haven't the time for that level of commitment. Playing online via an app with up to 24 hours per move and in-app chatting is best for me. Sure the person can cheat, but I assume most would rather play fairly and win of their own accord rather than a meaningless win via cheating.
- michalu 7y ago
  I got a friend of mine into chess. First, I beat him easily. Turned out he's competitive and while I was abroad for 6 months he trained hard to beat me. When I got back the games became competitive and while playing chess we ended up having a business idea and we started a business. Now 6 months later it earns both of us about what's an average salary here + pays another employee. He in turn played his cousin while I was away. They got together after since childhood and started going rafting and other adventures. I know a bunch of stories like that. All sorts of things can happen that won't happen online. Of course I played online too, and them also ... to improve. I think even if you think you don't have friends it's good to just play anybody who's down for it. Or join a chess club generally inquire who knows chess when you meet some new cool people.

wyclif 7y ago

I've been using lichess training for the past few months; doing at least 50 puzzles per day has improved my game so much lately. You can do 50 offline so it's great when you're riding public transportation or taking a break from work.

new2628 7y ago

The paradox is that something can be "dying" and "more popular than ever" at the same time.