You are not obligated to offer, or accept a rematch. It is entirely up to you. Dont let people tell you, you have to.
Chess Etiquette and Rematches
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Of course some won't want to play again; you got lucky the first game and they proved it with the second game.
There are thousands of players on this site. I wouldn't sweat it too much if someone does not want to play again.
I never accept or offer a rematch, whether I won or lost. I've never really thought it was rude or anything. Some people like to rematch, some don't.
No one is obliged to rematch. Your expectation or my expectation of what is good etiquette is just our opinion and not binding on anyone else. In my opinion, a refusal of rematch should be accompanied by a short explanation but if the other person does not, then just go on to the next game.
Estragon wrote:
There is an etiquette to chess, but it established over long experience. There has never been an obligation to rematch - it is just like any other challenge, take it or don't. In a limited pool, you will make more friends if you typically play two games, one each with White. But in a huge pool like here, it does you no good.
But you don't gain anything by refusing a rematch because you will have Black. The software here tracks your colors, so it will eventually even you out.
Can you please clarify. If I lose a game to someone, and challange them to a rematch, regardless whether I was white or black, and whether I won or lost, the person who intiates challange for the rematch is always black?
I never do rematches as one blitz game is usually enough for me, at least for a few minutes.
When I did used to do rematches, I often found my opponent played incredibly better than the first game if he had lost it. Just saying.
Jul 12, 2015
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#8
I have never offered a rematch and only very rarely accept them. (If it was a truly great, exciting game, I sometimes do, but that is the only case) There is nothing the slightest bit wrong with not accepting a rematch.
All you have to do after a game is over, win or lose, is click "new game" and you'll be playing a new game. If you are upset that you made a mistake, you can pay closer attention on the next game. It doesn't have to be against the same person.
After a game is over, I sometimes spend some time analyzing it. And sometimes I just want to get one quick game in and then get back to some actual work. And sometimes i do want to play another game, but I have absolutely compelling reason to play the same person. More often than not, rematch offers come from people who lost and then have a chip on their shoulder and feel like they've got something to prove. This is doubly true of the people who publicly whine and cry about someone not accepting their rematch offer (It's so funny to see this posted on people's profiles 'He didn't accept my rematch offer! Waaaaa!) 9 times out of 10, it's someone who lost the first game and then gets indignant that the person who beat them, who they are nevertheless convinced is an inferior player, does not accept their rematch offer.
Yeah, maybe the first time the opponent 'got lucky' which is equivalent to 'you made a blunder.' We all make blunders. We all benefit from our opponent's blunders. Overall, your rating will reflect your playing strength. If you really want to play the same person again, go ahead and offer the rematch. But don't have any illusions that there is any established etiquette to play a rematch if offered.
Feb 4, 2016
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#10
I play blitz. if I win I rarely accepts rematch. if I lose I always avoid a rematch. some people are just bad losers...
Feb 4, 2016
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#11
Sometimes I only have time for one game. Sometimes I analyze every game after it finishes. Sometimes I go into blitz junkie marathon mode. The last is the only time that rematch offers may be considered and sometimes they are offered after I've already started another game. When I play someone whom I know IRL, I wait for or offer rematch requests unless I don't have time.
Reasons for refusing rematch offers from certain opponents have been detailed in the dozen or hundred other threads on this topic.
Today, my opponent lost through an obvious mouseslip. The rematch request was accepted instantly and I beat him in a long endgame.
I will almost always accept a rematch request if i won, but never offer rematch. It always occured to me that requesting insta rematch from the winner side is a very poor etiquete.
May 12, 2016
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#13
After a game I like to analyse it and rest a little rather than rush straight back in.
groan to the power of infinity....
I would be of the opinion that it is polite to offer a rematch to someone I have just beaten. It gives them a chance to prove it if they feel they could have played better, made a mistake, etc. I think the same etiquette applies to card games where money is bet. Is it not the done thing to offer someone the chance to win their money back, rather than just taking a substantial win and running off?
Jun 18, 2016
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#16
I'll offer, or accept, a rematch if the game was a draw, if it was mostly even but decided on a blunder, or if it was just generally close.
Bernie4366 wrote:
You rematch. PERIOD. For the same reason you don't sit down at a poker table, win one hand and then leave. If you don't understand this, then your parents never taught you manners.
Redundant post checklist:
1. Hammer.
2. Nail.
3. Foot.
4. Shoe.
Directions.
Respond to queston in post that has been asked 904,358,652,041 times.
Take nail, and hammer.
Hammer nail into shoe.
Run around in a circle.
Oct 31, 2016
0
#18
Rematches have been discussed plenty of times here in the forums - please contribute or continue the discussion in one of those.
https://www.chess.com/forum/search?keyword=rematch
Locking this thread.
Can some one please educacte me on proper chess etiquette for rematches. Anytime I win a game, and my opponent wants a rematch, I feel like it's the proper thing to do so I ALWAYS accept a rematch. What bothers me is when I lose and want a rematch and the person declines. Sometimes I think they feel they got lucky, and other times, because I will be white, I will have upperhand. Too many players are worried about ratings and I don't feel they understand this is a game of valor and fun. Why would anyone not accept a rematch, especially when it was a real good match and a close game. Of course I understand the obvious like their baby is crying or dinner is being served, so they need to run. But other than those type of situations, do you feel that rematches are the proper protocol when someone loses a game and wants a rematch. Anyone want to jump in and add your thoughts?