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Why do people have so many games on at once?

Why do people have so many games on at once?

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BaronVonChickenpants
Mr Magic

UK

Joined
07 Jan 08
Moves
30444
Clock
29 Jun 15

I've just picke dup a couple of games against someone who already have over 1200 active games. They seem pretty new as a subscriber.

I just cannot comprehend how this cannot end with loads of timeouts!

What the highest number of games you've had at once, or have seen an opponent has running?

64squaresofpain
The drunk knight

Stuck on g1

Joined
02 Sep 12
Moves
59562
Clock
29 Jun 15
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65 for me, and that was more than enough!

I know Zorro the fox always has plenty of games in progress, currently on 1,174 (at time of writing!)

caissad4
Child of the Novelty

San Antonio, Texas

Joined
08 Mar 04
Moves
618778
Clock
30 Jun 15

Originally posted by BaronVonChickenpants
I've just picke dup a couple of games against someone who already have over 1200 active games. They seem pretty new as a subscriber.

I just cannot comprehend how this cannot end with loads of timeouts!

What the highest number of games you've had at once, or have seen an opponent has running?
I usually have around 1000 going at once. I have had 14 timeouts in over 17000 games.

BigDogg
Secret RHP coder

on the payroll

Joined
26 Nov 04
Moves
155080
Clock
30 Jun 15
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Originally posted by BaronVonChickenpants
I've just picke dup a couple of games against someone who already have over 1200 active games. They seem pretty new as a subscriber.

I just cannot comprehend how this cannot end with loads of timeouts!

What the highest number of games you've had at once, or have seen an opponent has running?
I hit my record of 165 recently. But those are 3/7. When I used to do 60-80 1/0's, that felt like a heavier load.

joesheppe
Lesser Poobah

Northern California

Joined
15 Aug 07
Moves
20617
Clock
30 Jun 15
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The thing I've always wondered about is why people who have a ton of games going simul don't appear to improve very much if at all in the end. Is that some kind of serious short-term memory or what?!

G

santa cruz, ca.

Joined
19 Jul 13
Moves
376505
Clock
30 Jun 15

for some, who have a lot of games going on, it is a form of blitz chess
they may spend only a few seconds per move
although it will not produce the best of chess, it is fun
you should try it

King Tiger

Joined
15 Aug 12
Moves
11620
Clock
30 Jun 15
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Originally posted by BaronVonChickenpants
I've just picke dup a couple of games against someone who already have over 1200 active games. They seem pretty new as a subscriber.

I just cannot comprehend how this cannot end with loads of timeouts!

What the highest number of games you've had at once, or have seen an opponent has running?
I do not like to play over 20, especially if they are strong opponents. I rarely play slower than 7/7 though and the timeframe really factors in. I think the most I've played at once on here was around 25-it wasn't preferred by me.

t

Sydney

Joined
28 Apr 15
Moves
5595
Clock
30 Jun 15

Originally posted by joesheppe
The thing I've always wondered about is why people who have a ton of games going simul don't appear to improve very much if at all in the end. Is that some kind of serious short-term memory or what?!
I've noticed a couple of players averaging 300+ moves a day over several years. The mind boggles. Let's say they spend only 30sec per move - even with quick opening moves it's hard to imagine less with page reload for the next board etc and the occasional scratch - that's about 2.5-3hrs of mechanical chess per day. Over years.

Imagine they used that time to actually learn and improve.

venda
Dave

S.Yorks.England

Joined
18 Apr 10
Moves
86206
Clock
30 Jun 15

Originally posted by King Tiger
I do not like to play over 20, especially if they are strong opponents. I rarely play slower than 7/7 though and the timeframe really factors in. I think the most I've played at once on here was around 25-it wasn't preferred by me.
I don't play faster than 7:7.
The theory behind this is I can have 30 or so games on the go without having any time pressure.
30 or so active games also means that when I log on there's usually a games there where it's my move.
It's not often I clear my waiting games but I've never lost a game by timeout and the only time I use up any timebank is when I'm on holiday

ketchuplover
Isolated Pawn

Wisconsin USA

Joined
09 Dec 01
Moves
71666
Clock
01 Jul 15
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More games = better value per dollar imo

Shallow Blue

Joined
18 Jan 07
Moves
12477
Clock
01 Jul 15

Originally posted by BaronVonChickenpants
I've just picke dup a couple of games against someone who already have over 1200 active games. They seem pretty new as a subscriber.

I just cannot comprehend how this cannot end with loads of timeouts!

What the highest number of games you've had at once, or have seen an opponent has running?
I'm not a subscriber, and this is part of the reason. I am allowed to have six games at once, but usually only have three or four. That's enough for me.
Once, I entered a non-sub tournament Russ set up to lure us non-subs into the fold, and all of a sudden I had nine or ten games or so going on at once - three tournament opponents times two games each, plus the couple I had going before I entered. I was swamped, that was just too many games for me to keep apart. I lost ignominously in the first round. At least the tournament taught me that I don't need a subscription... 😕

Mind you, I can see why some people do like to have more games going at a time. If you don't get them confused, sure, why not. But hundreds? I'm sure those players' ratings suffer, and not just their ratings, but their game in general.

b
Enigma

Seattle

Joined
03 Sep 06
Moves
3298
Clock
01 Jul 15
1 edit
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Originally posted by BaronVonChickenpants
I've just picke dup a couple of games against someone who already have over 1200 active games. They seem pretty new as a subscriber.

I just cannot comprehend how this cannot end with loads of timeouts!

What the highest number of games you've had at once, or have seen an opponent has running?
I used to have about 25 games going at once, but have reduced it to 6 or less. I don't see the sense in having a game load of more than 10-15. Big game loads spreads one's energies too thin, causes burn out, and results in lower quality moves, since a player cannot spend much time on any one position (no matter how complex). Since reducing my game load, my pathetic rating is now rising rather than falling. 😏

KnightStalker47

Joined
12 Nov 06
Moves
74414
Clock
01 Jul 15

I usually try to keep 15-25 games going. My rule of thumb is I should have a general idea of how I got to the current position. Which opening was played, how I lost a piece, how I gained a piece, what was my plan last move etc. If I can't remember then I have too many games. How can you learn if you don't remember your blunders?

I think many with large game loads do it to help their clan. Which ever clan participates in the most clan challenges is going to do well. The system rewards quantity over quality.

L

Joined
01 Apr 05
Moves
57586
Clock
02 Jul 15
1 edit
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Originally posted by BaronVonChickenpants
I've just picke dup a couple of games against someone who already have over 1200 active games. They seem pretty new as a subscriber.

I just cannot comprehend how this cannot end with loads of timeouts!

What the highest number of games you've had at once, or have seen an opponent has running?
I have absolutely no idea how anyone with hundreds of games can keep track and do themselves justice in each game. I'm max-ed out with 20 games!!
I set off a thread recently - called 'losing points' which addresses this. With a bit of a moan attached....

tvochess

Joined
08 Apr 09
Moves
20024
Clock
02 Jul 15
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Originally posted by KnightStalker47
I usually try to keep 15-25 games going. My rule of thumb is I should have a general idea of how I got to the current position. Which opening was played, how I lost a piece, how I gained a piece, what was my plan last move etc. If I can't remember then I have too many games. How can you learn if you don't remember your blunders?
That's actually a valuable rule of thumb. But even with my usually about 6 games ongoing, I can't remember more than a few moves deep in the past. Maybe it's because I prefer the slower 7/7 games, but I can't keep up with a faster pace. I used to play 3/7, but then I started thinking. 😉

Any opinions on how important it is to remember past moves?

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