18 Oct 07
is it just me, or do people who only play chess against others if they have a specific rating associated with them just, oh...spineless, elistist cowards? or is there some reason why one would refuse to play another person just because they haven't had time to accumulate a rating that truly reflects their skill? (besides the obvious lack of cohones)
18 Oct 07
Originally posted by PinkFloydI chuckled!
is it just me, or do people who only play chess against others if they have a specific rating associated with them just, oh...spineless, elistist cowards? or is there some reason why one would refuse to play another person just because they haven't had time to accumulate a rating that truly reflects their skill? (besides the obvious lack of cohones)
18 Oct 07
Originally posted by PinkFloydI doubt that they're spineless, elitist, or cowards. Probably other, more practical reasons are at play here. Some people will play anyone, regardless of rating, but I think most will only play down 200 to 300 points or so. Below that, it tends to not be much of a challenge for them. If I were you, I wouldn't take it personally.
is it just me, or do people who only play chess against others if they have a specific rating associated with them just, oh...spineless, elistist cowards? or is there some reason why one would refuse to play another person just because they haven't had time to accumulate a rating that truly reflects their skill? (besides the obvious lack of cohones)
18 Oct 07
Originally posted by PinkFloydsend me a game, I play anyone for the most part. It's just a game, and i don't spend much time thinking about my elo, it takes the fun out of playing
is it just me, or do people who only play chess against others if they have a specific rating associated with them just, oh...spineless, elistist cowards? or is there some reason why one would refuse to play another person just because they haven't had time to accumulate a rating that truly reflects their skill? (besides the obvious lack of cohones)
18 Oct 07
Originally posted by PinkFloydGiven the choice of the word spineless, I am assuming this relates to higher rated opponents not wanting to play much lower rated opponents.
is it just me, or do people who only play chess against others if they have a specific rating associated with them just, oh...spineless, elistist cowards? or is there some reason why one would refuse to play another person just because they haven't had time to accumulate a rating that truly reflects their skill? (besides the obvious lack of cohones)
Aside from the obvious statement that who an individual plays is their own business and their absolute right to determine, then there is another clear reason.
Rating points mean a lot to people and are hard earned. There is only something to lose by playing someone rated many hundreds of points below you. This would not be a problem were it not for the reality that some players utilise unfair means. Personally, if a player has a proven graph, which clearly shows their level, this risk is very small. Someone who has played just a handful of games is an unknown entity. They may be a computer, or they may just use assistance against much higher rated opponents to get a rating boost.
If ratings didn't matter to you, my guess is you wouldn't be upset over this, so take a minute to see it from the high rated players perspective. If you were Weyerstraus (top on the site) for example, would you accept challenges from unknown 1200 rated players? Don't be daft - you would stick to players with a proven history, rated at your level.
This is not an accusation towards you - it is a proven reality on this (and all) site(s). Many players are banned for cheating each month.
18 Oct 07
1 edit
Originally posted by PolicestatePS, there are those who would say it is elitist picking opponents that the ratings suggest you would thrash, in order to maintain an over inflated ego. Surely the players with most backbone take challenges from players rated near or above them, where the prospect of defeat is far higher? Just a thought
Given the choice of the word spineless, I am assuming this relates to higher rated opponents not wanting to play much lower rated opponents.
Aside from the obvious statement that who an individual plays is their own business and their absolute right to determine, then there is another clear reason.
Rating points mean a lot to people and are hard earned a proven reality on this (and all) site(s). Many players are banned for cheating each month.
18 Oct 07
I, as my profile says, am willing to play anyone with any rating (so long as they have a rating... P1200's are excluded due to increased chances of engine use). All I need is a PM and I'll send you a game. I should mention though, that if you have challenge settings that don't allow me to send you a game, I won't try a second time.
18 Oct 07
Originally posted by PinkFloydIt's funny how people will develop justifications for why their rating is not really what it "should" be. You had enough time to establish the rating you have; why is there any reason it should be inaccurate?
just because they haven't had time to accumulate a rating that truly reflects their skill?
Face it: most of the time your rating is what it is because that's the best you're currently capable of. If there's something you can easily change, like not blitzing out moves or whatever, then just do it and your rating should quickly adjust itself. But after a while, you have to wonder, if it's so easy to make certain changes, why haven't you done it already?
As for why people wouldn't want to play much lower-rated players: one reason is that it does almost nothing to help you improve. Ideally I'd follow Dan Heisman's advice and play 65% of my games against opponents 50-200 points higher (unfortunately I'm way off that from doing too many tournaments, but I'll try in the future). But even in that case, the other 35% should only be about 200 points below me, max. Below that and I'm just taking advantage of very obvious blunders and don't have much chance to learn anything.
18 Oct 07
Originally posted by PinkFloydno, I'm only just barely a 1400, and my settings are such that I don't accept open challenges from anyone below 1700, and I only try to play people who can really challenge me. besides study, playing better players makes us better...
is it just me, or do people who only play chess against others if they have a specific rating associated with them just, oh...spineless, elistist cowards? or is there some reason why one would refuse to play another person just because they haven't had time to accumulate a rating that truly reflects their skill? (besides the obvious lack of cohones)
now, you might notice that a couple of my current opponents are rated below 1400 (one of which I'm losing to 😳) but these are the last of those games I play against weaker oppnents (except of course for special cases, such as me being friends with one, or the opponent is underrated, etc.)
this leads up to my big public announcement:
There will be no more games between ih8sens and rubberjaw due to rubberjaw's opinion that ih8sens is overrated.
just kidding folks, I'm full at six though, so we don't get to continue the saga for a while. cheers!