Chess.com Greeter - experiences...

When updating my account settings the other day, I noticed the following little tick box and sentence..." I am willing to play unrated welcome games against new Chess.com members. I will help them understand how to play on Chess.com and answer questions." Being a helpful sort of person I thought "that's a good idea" and ticked the box. Earlier today 10 (yes 10) 'Welcome to chess.com - unrated' games started, which would be fine, except that 9 out of the 10 players have not even made a single move. I was wondering what other peoples' experiences of this have been? Is this normal? Is there actually a demand for this service?

The following will happen...

1. 9 of ten will time out in the first five moves.

2. 4 of ten will chat a bunch of "Hey! Are you there! Move!" because they are too stupid to read the thing that explains online chess.

I agree that at least three quarters of the intro games will time out within the first three moves. I did enjoy the few games where the new folks started playing and we got to chatting a little so I got to feel like I actually was being all chess.com welcoming.

I used to be a greeter but gave up cos of the number of unfinished games.It was a total waste of time.

So far the verdict seems to be that being a greeter is a good idea in principle but total waste of time in practise...Still with 45 hours to go in the 9 games there's time yet....

My experience as a greeter (I've played 100 greeter games at a time), is mixed. What a greeter has to be is patient, and willing to explain to those who haven't read the explanation for online chess. Yes, most games don't make it past the opening, but I've had some fun games and chats with people. You just have to be patient and wait for a gem to appear. Yes, it will be frustrating (especially early on, when you haven't been accoustomed to people who don't read the instructions), but it can be worth it. Anyways, why fret about haven't 90% of them not play, since it doesn't affect you.