~TONY~ on other post states he wished he lived and played in the UK
as the American players all seem to be slobs.
We have own fair share of slobs as well.
I once sat down at a board and my overweight opponet unwrapped a
packet of sandwiches, opened a bottle of pop and had a picnic at the chess board.
He ate with his mouth open and slurped his pop. Disgusting.
The player sitting next to me complained to the controller that's how bad it was.
He was asked to eat away from the board.
I've never had cause to complain about a player's attitude/manners at the board.
Once one guy kept offering me a draw (every 2nd or 3rd move).
We were still in an interesting middle-game.
Eventually I said "I'll tell you when it's a draw."
Anybody else had cause to speak to their opponent OTB.
I've had to do that as well - had to stop one guy who actually
took his own piece during time trouble.
I was thinking about knee wobblers who shake the whole table,
coughers, sweet eaters, grunters, or chatty opponents.
During one game with a well know Edinburgh player, now sadly passed away.
he suddenly started talking to me.
"Well Geoff, we have both castled and it looks like an interesting middle-game."
True - this guy was well known for having a chat with his opponents
in between moves. Really off-putting, though I do not think he was cheating.
He was just a pleasant guy. A doctor.
I've been thinking about getting into OTB play again... (haven't played "competitive" OTB since I was 13!...now mid 30's).
Anyway, you guys now have me thinking twice about it! 🙂 😲
Anyway, my OTB experience is pretty limited, but luckily I've never had any "interesting" situations...yet.
Talking during the game reminded me of this anecdote which I read recently, involving a game between Howard Staunton and Daniel Harrwitz:
In one of the games Staunton made a sacrifice whereby he expected to win; but Harrwitz retorted by also sacrificing a piece, and the result was that the Prussian emerged from the scrimmage with a superior game and a pawn ahead.
Somewhat chagrined at his discomfiture, Staunton muttered - "Dear me, dear me, I have lost a pawn!" in a voice and with an accent that indicated rather anger towards his opponent for his clever manoeuvre than blame towards himself for his faulty combination.
When he had repeated those words, "I have lost a pawn", several times, Harrwitz rang the bell sharply, and, upon the waiter appearing, he exclaimed -
"William, will you kindly look about the floor for a pawn. Mr. Staunton has just lost one."
I had an opponent rated 2040 last year who was a Q+ down and clearly lost but he played on and on, then when there was a mate in 5 he offered me a draw, when I refused to take it he made a pointless move, then gave away a Rook, then a P then another and now it was mate in 1 so he stopped moving and waited for his hand to fall.
I got up and went to the bar, when I returned to the board he still had not moved so I went to the washroom (don't want to be rude to our American friends by calling it what it is) but on my return he still had not moved. After a while he pointed out to me that his hand had fallen. "Haven't noticed" I said and waited. After 30 minutes he still would noy resign but he made his final move, I guess in hope that I would have gone home and lose on time or not notice the mate in 1.
Originally posted by AttilaTheHornI think we have a winner!
In a tournament, I saw one guy who was so disgusted at his losing position that he rose from his chair, unzipped his pants, and urinated on the board. Naturally he was expelled from the tournament, reported to the chess federation, and I think he was expelled from that too.
Unless anyone has a story about someone taking a dump on a game in progress?
Originally posted by MrHandI've seen and heard of a few things in my time.
I've been thinking about getting into OTB play again... (haven't played "competitive" OTB since I was 13!...now mid 30's).
Anyway, you guys now have me thinking twice about it! 🙂 😲
Anyway, my OTB experience is pretty limited, but luckily I've never had any "interesting" situations...yet.
Once at a league match - member of opposing team goes to washroom/toilet.
Whilst the player was away his opponent grabs this lad's score
sheet and wrote offensive remarks on it.
When he came back....bedlam....match abandoned.
(ahhh the good old days)
Originally posted by Fat LadyI've read all about the story - It's in Henry Bird's book.
"William, will you kindly look about the floor for a pawn. Mr. Staunton has just lost one."[/b]
It was a 'move' Staunton had lost a move. (a tempo).
Same books tells of time Steinitz spat at Blackburne so Blackburne
threw him through a window.
Seen a few fist fights. Never seen anybody pee-ing on a board.
Would love to see the position in a chess book.
"What happened next...?"
Originally posted by greenpawn34This is where I read the anecdote:
I've read all about the story - It's in Henry Bird's book.
It was a 'move' Staunton had lost a move. (a tempo).
Same books tells of time Steinitz spat at Blackburne so Blackburne
threw him through a window.
Seen a few fist fights. Never seen anybody pee-ing on a board.
Would love to see the position in a chess book.
"What happened next...?"
http://batgirl.atspace.com/Harrwitznote.html
It seems to be lifted from a book by G A Macdonnell (no relation to the famous McDonnell).
As for fist fights at the chess board - I have seen two. To my shame I was one of the protagonists both times!
Originally posted by AttilaTheHornNever seen this but I've experienced a guy who used very audible flatulence as an (offensive) weapon.
In a tournament, I saw one guy who was so disgusted at his losing position that he rose from his chair, unzipped his pants, and urinated on the board. Naturally he was expelled from the tournament, reported to the chess federation, and I think he was expelled from that too.
A club mate of mine once played somebody who looked like they had consumption and coughed repeatedly and noisely directly into my club mates face - the other guy never once placing his hand over his mouth.
Personally I'd not have put up with it. Still the other guy probably died of his health problems since then - a fate he richly deserves imho
Originally posted by JonathanB of LondonYes, farting seems to be the new blowing smoke in your opponent's face to those who need to resort to those sort of tactics.
Never seen this but I've experienced a guy who used very audible flatulence as an (offensive) weapon.