As part of my outreach work, i often find myself in coffee shops, with clients, playing chess. (My travel chess set is like a fifth limb). It feels perfectly natural to play a game or two while sipping a cappuccino and munching on a biscotti.
Got me wondering though, what is it about chess that makes it so compatible with coffee shops? i wouldn't feel so comfortable bringing out a monopoly board or playing battleships. Even a game of cards would make me feel a bit conspicuous. Is chess unique in this respect?
Played two games yesterday and won them both. It was a good day.
Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke As part of my outreach work, i often find myself in coffee shops, with clients, playing chess. (My travel chess set is like a fifth limb). It feels perfectly natural to play a game or two while sipping a cappuccino and munching on a biscotti.
Got me wondering though, what is it about chess that makes it so compatible with coffee shops? i wouldn't ...[text shortened]... hess unique in this respect?
Played two games yesterday and won them both. It was a good day.
When you play chess with clients it is better to let them win 😀
Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke 🙂 Am currently beating one of my clients 22-5.
May seem harsh, but he really enjoyed those 5 victories. (And i enjoyed seeing him enjoy them).
Alas, no beer though.
Did you notice that your client was happier with you when the client won? Happy clients make happy accounts. You might want to make a blunder or two or ignore a blunder or two to allow a little better win rate.
By playing your client is getting better and better!
Btw I think you had a chance at a smothered mate in your first game on this site. It was either a smothered mate or your opponent would have to trade his rook for your knight.
Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke As part of my outreach work, i often find myself in coffee shops, with clients, playing chess. (My travel chess set is like a fifth limb). It feels perfectly natural to play a game or two while sipping a cappuccino and munching on a biscotti.
Got me wondering though, what is it about chess that makes it so compatible with coffee shops? i wouldn't ...[text shortened]... hess unique in this respect?
Played two games yesterday and won them both. It was a good day.
Card games are associated with gambling, chess has lost that association. Backgammon, go, and draughts would work as well, but other board games just require too much setting up and bits all over the place.
Originally posted by Eladar Did you notice that your client was happier with you when the client won? Happy clients make happy accounts. You might want to make a blunder or two or ignore a blunder or two to allow a little better win rate.
By playing your client is getting better and better!
Btw I think you had a chance at a smothered mate in your first game on this site. It was either a smothered mate or your opponent would have to trade his rook for your knight.
Thanks, will go back to the game and have a look.
The client was happy when he won as he knew i was giving him my best game. I don't think he would have found his victories quite so sweet if he suspected i had let him win.
As an aside, chess has also been a useful way to engage with clients with high anxiety, confidence issues. (Should probably explain that i work in the mental health field and that my 'clients' are not rich investors). The chess board acts as a kind of barrier, a point of focus, over which a conversation can flow.
Originally posted by DeepThought Card games are associated with gambling, chess has lost that association. Backgammon, go, and draughts would work as well, but other board games just require too much setting up and bits all over the place.
Without gambling backgammon is just Ludo!!
The doubling die is an important part of strategy.
Originally posted by wolfgang59 Without gambling backgammon is just Ludo!!
The doubling die is an important part of strategy.
Yes, but if people see you playing backgammon they won't instantly think that there's money at stake, whereas if they see you playing cards they might think that.
Originally posted by tonytiger41 Also true when you're interviewing for a job.
I was challenged to a rapids game so couldn't decline. I rolled up my sleeves and played (and lost).
Hey! Tony the Benoni!
Nice to see you. If losing at chess can get you hired, I should be able to get any number of jobs. Of course I didn't play for my college, so beating me wouldn't do much for a person's ego.
Coffee shop chess
28 Mar '15 19:43
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