Why don't people chat?

I play 5/2.  There is plenty of time for a stray "interesting" or "thnk you would have had me with nd7" or . . . anything.  Even a "gg" at the end would be something.  

I understand that it isnt mandatory, that many people dont want it, and that at times there is something of a language issue.  But it shocks me that essentially no one chats to any extent.  

I can go 50 games without seeing a chat unless I initiate it.  Even then, if I start with a "hi and GL" the typical response is . . . silence.    

I think its a contagion of sorts, a vicious circle.  Since no one chats, chatting is seen as weird and aberrant.

I never play in person anymore.  A little chatting wouldnt exactly recreate the chess club days, or the days playing in the square, but it would be something.   

I know what you mean, but I'm fairly sure anything 10 minutes or under is considered by most to be too short of time to chat, even with increments. Try a standard 30 minute or more correspondence chess, I've gotten many interesting in-game conversations that way.

We're chess players, the reason we're playing is for the chess. In 5/2 I would not talk either because that is blitz and every second can count.

In longer games, I'm more serious, and it's not good or even polite to talk during a game that your opponent may be taking seriously. It can be a distraction. Usually I only say "gg" when game is over but I know many players in non-english speaking countries don't know what that means.

If you would like a post-mortem analysis, that's different. I've only been invited to do this once on this website, but I agreed and it was helpful to get the thoughts of my opponent.

If I want to chat, I'll go see my neighbor.... she loves chatting. If I open a chessboard, I want to be left alone for that short period.

Seems like the only people who say anything in blitz are arrogant little punks with an attitude problem. Why would I want to talk to those?

If my opponent says "gg" or something I'll return the favor, but that's about it. If it really is a very good game and I enjoy it I might mention it.

What's there to talk about during a chess game?

Why we do or don't support Gaza?

Why men are better at chess than women?

Chess.com V3?

Once an opponent played an amazing combo against me, I accepted the sac without seeing the clear continuation but knew he somehow had me...before playing the "killer" move, he typed: "please dont say i am cheater" ... i immediately resigned. From that day, I don't write in chat :)

You will find a long list of rediculous excuses:

Im not here to chat

I dont have time to chat (even though the clock doesnt start until you make a move)

Its the annonymity of the internet.  Hiding behind a computer screen afford many people the disillusioned luxery of being the internet tough guy. 

I copy and paste each game:

God bless and good luck

Good Game

For my own amusement, i track the responses i get (yea im that big of a nerd) against how many games ive played.  Currently on average .75% of my opponents respond.  Yea...that less than 1%

What do mean? It's all pretty interesting stuff. 

In fact, I wish I could have Kaynight in my game chats with me.

I chat less often in blitz chess because the more I chat, the quicker I

lose, although sometimes it's worth it for a funny comment, or a revealing insight into the game at hand.

With turn-based play - "online chess" - there is more time to have some conversation.

You only have a few seconds to make your first movement before the game gets aborted by the server. What kind of conversation would you have in 10 seconds?

Hi, Nice point.

It's nice to comment the game or at least say "Hi", but most people just like to play and in general they don't even reply to you...

http://chess-teacher.com/1632.html

perhaps you are coming to this site to be a social butterfly (which is fine and respectable too)  but if you are playing a game perhaps you should  just concentrate n the game...most people that come to chess.com come to play chess and dont want to be bothered.  Is also called respecting your opponent? 

The social aspect of chess to be found in online format is no bad thing but do not always expect a reply i will on average say hi 6 times out of 10 if i get no response i then say no more till thnx i enjoyed the game well played unlucky or cool win depending on result

this came about as i used to get annoyed when folk didnt reply and wastedmental energy and time asking them why they ignored me silly really as although im sociable im in a chess game to win too

so if they dont respond dont worry just focus on the chess in front of you and not the person sat opposite i hope this helps you enjoy the game as its meant to be enjoyed have fun and i hope you make many fine friends at chess.com

Not to mention that telling an opponent something along the lines of, "hi" or "good luck" for me kills my desire to beat my opponent at all costs.  Whether it be a massacre, a slow ground out game, a lucky save, or a win on time.  I know they are human beings, but I don't want to associate the moves I see on my computer screen with a living, breathing, feeling human being.  If I am playing in an OTB tournament, a shake of hands is all that's required.  We can go over the game afterwards too, but until then, they're my enemy.  I have friends in the real world.  I don't need any on the internet.

thats a very good post and true although we differ in approach as soon as the clock starts its a war who emerges skill and luck decides my approach stems from a love of chess and although i will do my all to win without another player (i love all chess players )there is no game my hi acknowledges my respect for them before i roll my sleeves up and fight