Online Chess Etiquette: Know the Rules and Act Friendly

Thousands of people every day are playing chess online. With that many people doing the same thing at the same time, especially in a competitive game situation, problems are bound to occur. Knowing what to do when they happen is an extremely valuable tool to have on your belt.

Not everyone is going to get along all the time, and there will be abusive players as well as cheaters and bad sportsmanship. Keep your cool. If you have been abused or suspect abuse, report it to an administrator or other staff member and don't try to solve problems yourself. It is infinitely better to report and move on than to engage in quarrels and shouting matches, whether in personal tells or public channels. Most quality chess sites also have an option to censor players, so ask about that as well.

Another frequently encountered problem is disconnecting, or players who leave the site when they reach a lost position, leaving the chess game adjourned. While this is no doubt angering, once again the best option is to report this activity. The better chess sites will have an Adjudicate team, or a group of specially trained administrators who go over unfinished games and conclude them accordingly. Check with the site staff to see if they have a "noplay" option that allows users to avoid playing other players of their choice.

If you encounter or think you've encountered a cheater, please contact staff immediately. Avoid yelling at the player or publicly accusing them of using computer chess assistance in channels or consoles, because you may be wrong and it is not fair to the other player. Contact any staff member and they will be able to direct you to the proper complaint venue. Chess sites do not take cheating lightly.

Other issues that commonly arise on chess sites are hate-sitting (simply letting the clock run down in a lost position), eeking (playing the same weaker opponent over and over to slowly gain rating points), and lag (using a slow internet connection for fast chess games like bullet, gaining an unfair advantage). All of these matters are best directed to staff, because it is better to be part of the solution than the problem. Common sense prevails here.

When in public chat channels, conduct yourself as professionally as possible. Avoid topics such as religion and politics, because they almost always end up in a heated argument and the administrators will step in with the mute button. Use PG rated language, and do not substitute swear words with symbols (@#$%&*). This is viewed the same as cussing by staff, and will result in the same punishment most times.

Following these guidelines will keep you afloat not only on chess sites, but all gaming or chat sites. Don't fall victim to acting like a fool on the internet because nobody can see you; take pride in yourself and respect others, and do your best to have a good time. After all, games are supposed to be fun, right?