Forums

Calling the Game

Sort:
fostergump

I have a Question. Is it good manners to tell someone that your about to mate someone on " " moves? It seems to me as very rude.  Let me know your thoughts.

Rael
I like to do that, if it should be obvious, and there is no way out of it. Like, I'll say "Forced mate in 4..." or something.
PawnFork
It is terribly rude.  It is also a really cool thing to be able to calculate, but please save it for when you post the game on the games forum Rael.  Fortunately you have a wonderful place to indulge in bragging politely.
TonightOnly
Below master level, I think this is okay, as long as it is not in a serious tournament.
Rael

Pawnfork -

 You might be right, it might be considered rude by some. But in this wide world, with all sorts of real evils going on, that little bit of rudeness - telling someone when you have a forced mate - will only spur them. It's part of the competitiveness. Not only do they get an opportunity to look for the forced mate (giving them a free tactics trainer, if you would) but it's part of the fun, in all honestly. Ultimately, I'm a very polite person. But rudeness is dependent on being an insult directly to that person - like racial or sexist remarks. Pointing out a mate hardly qualifies. If you're really that scared of something as innocent as that... well, I dunno my friend. Disable the chat window unless you're sure you're having a chess game with a rainbow.


batgirl
Au contraire.  Announcing mate doesn't seem the least bit rude, and besides being traditional, it seems in fact rather elegant.  If mate's there, it's there.  Announcing it gives the opponent the chance to resign and not waste time on pointless moves.  
ivandh
I think it's tacky.
erik
batgirl wrote: Au contraire.  Announcing mate doesn't seem the least bit rude, and besides being traditional, it seems in fact rather elegant.  If mate's there, it's there.  Announcing it gives the opponent the chance to resign and not waste time on pointless moves.  

 agreed. unfortunately, most people don't know this. i only announce if i know the person :)


depthshaman
much ado about nothing.
silentfilmstar13
I agree that anouncing mate is okay.  Next somebody's going to tell me it's rude to put an opponent in check.
God2
agree badgirl comment,this will make u more memory on that kind of move and avoid it next time happen again
oginschile

Announcing mate is a time honored tradition... it used to be the norm.

Seems to be one of those things that simply went out of style at some point. But I'm not sure I see the harm. If mate is announced on you, take it as a challenge to find a refutation, but if there really is no way out... no need to get angry. I've had it done to me a couple of times in correspondence chess, and it was actually no big deal. You get to see the moves in the chat window instead of on the board.


Quaff
I think it's crass to announce mate, although having played club games / OTB briefly, some years ago, can see how it could be considered etiquette.
porterism
I think, while it used to be the standard, it can now be construed as a little bit pompous and while it wouldn't bother me personally if an opponent did it, I could see why some might take offense.  It wouldn't be something I'd feel comfortable doing, unless I knew the person well.
Baseballfan
LisaV wrote:

A consideration.....

I've calculated at least a dozen mates on here, executed them, and my opponents have "helped" me discover that one move that foils the mates.

Glad I kept those mates to myself.....


 This is a good thing to keep in mind. While I don't think it's rude (it IS a long standing tradition), you better make absolutely sure that you are right. I remember one time a played a game where my opponent announced mate like 6 moves out (neither one of us had great ratings), and before he made his next move, I found a quick little 2 or 3 move mating combo of my own that I didn't announce but beat him with. He was so embarrassed that he would never play me again despite the fact that this was like our 5th or 6th game together.


fostergump
TonightOnly wrote: Below master level, I think this is okay, as long as it is not in a serious tournament.

 I would think it would be the opposite, as we lower rated players are not savy to the "long standing traditions" of chess play. For many of us this web site is the only avenue of chess and we are still learning. That is the main reason for asking and from some of the responses I think it warranted a discussion as educational for us noobs.


Aristokatt
LisaV wrote:

A consideration.....

I've calculated at least a dozen mates on here, executed them, and my opponents have "helped" me discover that one move that foils the mates.

Glad I kept those mates to myself.....


 I'll have mate in 28.Cool


batgirl

"Aristokatt: I'll have mate in 28."

 

Mate in 28 from a woman?

 

Would you settle for Mate in 35 from a woman?

http://batgirl.atspace.com/Gilbert.html


batgirl

"Would a katt and a bat get along?  I should start a chess.com matchmaking service...."

 

Well, no offense, but I wouldn't quit my day job.  Any kat that requires two t's where one would suffice probably couldn't hang with bats.

 

"Batgirl--I wouldn't mind mating at my age."

 

Any age, beyond that of reason, is a good age.


MM78
Call me old fashioned but I would think it very rude except between friends.  Like Erik says, if you know the person it would be ok.  I would always be afraid I was wrong anyway. I played in a tournament many years ago where my opponent thought I had stalemated him and said it very loud so all could hear.....he'd been getting on my nerves whistling through his teeth since he'd been losing to put me off, so I was very immature and told him every bit as loudly to move has b pawn then it was mate next move.