Protocol Question?

Hi everyone, I'm pretty new here, and haven't posted before. I'm also just learning to play, and don't have any significant real-board experience to relate my online play to. Anyway, I am wondering what is expected/allowed in terms of talking to your opponent during the game (via the 'message your opponent' button).

Is friendly conversation generally welcome? What about comments related to the game? I have mostly just quietly made my moves, but the few times I sent a message, I was generally ignored other than by a friend of mine who plays here. What is acceptable?

Originally posted by sprateleven
Hi everyone, I'm pretty new here, and haven't posted before. I'm also just learning to play, and don't have any significant real-board experience to relate my online play to. Anyway, I am wondering what is expected/allowed in terms of talking to your opponent during the game (via the 'message your opponent' button).

Is friendly conversation general ...[text shortened]... was generally ignored other than by a friend of mine who plays here. What is acceptable?

I think you can talk about anything, even comment about the game during the game if only your opponent agrees. But the only option you should takecare of is

(c) You may not threaten or harass other users of this Service.


If you are ignored then, your opponent obviously isn't interested to talk.

I suspect there is no more any protocol that exists than if you were talking to someone in a coffee shop or a school.

Folks vary in how much they like to chat based on numerous factors.

If you are encountering a stranger and don`t know where they are on the chit chat meter you could say for example hi I`m from (insert Country here).
If in response to that if they say nothing perhaps they are not 9/10 on the chit chat meter.

thanks. I just wanted to be sure there was no unwritten rule or custom (or even a written one) in the chess world, or this site, about talking at play. nothing worse than rude people, did not want to be one.

It's called correspondence chess for a reason

Just make sure you whisper so they can concentrate, and no tapping or humming.

Originally posted by Madman1
Just make sure you whisper so they can concentrate, and no tapping or humming.

or staring

Originally posted by sprateleven
Hi everyone, I'm pretty new here, and haven't posted before. I'm also just learning to play, and don't have any significant real-board experience to relate my online play to. Anyway, I am wondering what is expected/allowed in terms of talking to your opponent during the game (via the 'message your opponent' button).

Is friendly conversation general ...[text shortened]... was generally ignored other than by a friend of mine who plays here. What is acceptable?

Some opponents are friendly, others pretty taciturn. Just send a salutation and see what happens. Hope you enjoy yourself on this site!