"Good Luck"

This may have been discussed before and I missed it, if that is the case, than I apologize. I was discussing with someone on the site today the idea of wishing someone luck before the game, and I was wondering what people thought of this "tradition" I guess you could call it.

For me, I don't like it, and here are some of my reasons

1.) Chess is in no way a game of "luck". Unless you consider your opponent making a blunder when they were in a winning position that turns the game around "luck", then there really is nothing else of chance to contend with.

2.) Coming from me, and most of the chess players I know, it's fairly insencere. I'm not saying that I like seeing my opponents carelessly hang pieces against me, or make complete blunders that change the course of the game in one move, but that doesn't mean that I still don't really want to win. I am a very competetive person, I want to win every contest I come into contact with, losing is not fun, ever. So even if there were chance involved in chess, why would I want chance on the side of my opponent?

Yeah, I know that #2 makes me sound like a complete jerk, and that's fine. I'm not the type to rub it in an opponents face when I win, and I will recognize a good game from them when they play it, but that doesn't mean that the game was a whole lot of fun.  

I agree with you. There really isnt any luck involved, and if there were I certainly dont want my opponent getting lucky against me!:)

I suppose luck can mean that your opponent might blunder. So if I was to wish someone good luck before our game I'm pretty much saying "here's hoping I make a blunder that you can benifit from"!

 I guess I'm a more literal person than some. I never wish someone a "good morning" unless I mean it. To greet someone in the morning, I may acknowledge the time of day with"morning", but I never use the word good, unless it is acutally a good morning, or I truly intend to wish them one.

It's a matter of being polite.

I don't believe a thing like "good luck" is always meant to be taken literally.  It's about politeness, manners, and sportsmanship. No different then saying "good game" regardless if you really mean it. 

Just think if we started our games with a message stating "I hope you lose" since that's what we really want. 

btw, there was a lengthy thread regarding luck in chess a while back and if you look up the definition of luck, one could argue that there is luck in chess.  

I guess you could do that also. I've rarely had a person tell me good luck in chess. Or I should say, no more so than when an opponent tells me good luck before a basketball game. So, it's not really something unique to chess.

I seriously doubt the opponent is trying to be patronizing (now, you are assuming the worse in your opponent) and it really is all about the intention. The intention is  about being polite, so you should really interpret that way.  

I agree that it there is a contradictory element to wishing the opponent "good luck" as well as the incongruity of guess not being a game of luck. Personally though like hearing an opponent with me "good luck" because it sets a friendly tone. If it does not feel right to you, then you should adopt whatever practice does feel right.

How about saying "Have a a good game" or "Hi, play well and enjoy the game". Some people like to say something; it's a way of reminding each other that there is a real person on the other side of the board, which is, in my opinion, better than saying nothing at all. Saying nothing makes the experience seem kind of cold.

I have often wished my opponent luck before a game and I have never meant it in a patronizing manner. I WANT him/her to have good luck, I WANT him/her to play well...so if I win I know I've beaten him/her at the top of their game.

And incidentally, quite a few times when I've wished them good luck or have a good game they haven't replied. That's ok, it's their perogative. That makes me feel good about myself for being polite and makes me want to beat them even more for not having the courtesy to reply. 

*laughs merrily* luck can indeed have a lot to do with a game outcome - especially if playing me!

Ye could be lucky that im drunk, or tired, or concentrating on saving a baby sparrow from my cats mouth instead of what move im making (happened tonight, ask colle-pirc!), feeling a touch more insanity than normal and playing speed e-chess chess heh, watching a film at the same time, or any number of other ridiculous instances which happen on a daily basis with me ;)  Likewise i could be unlucky in that sense heh.

Id love to make a study of the number of games i lose by my blunders compared to being soundly beaten by superior play. Either way, i dont give two great damns because its all fun. If i lose, i lose. If i win, i win. I dont cry about bad lcuk if i blunder. Twas my "fault" simply cause i was drunk or spent 15 seconds on a move instead of 5 mins sober etc heh.

Now, that done with, i agree with yer expression about the literal use of the word luck ;)  I dont use it in reality. I normally say at the start of the game that i hope we both have fun and a good game and maybe also chat. 

On a side note, i always apologise to my opponents when i lose a game by blundering. Thats not be tryin to belitte their win..just acknowledging that i ruined a "good" game by doing something silly and that is often a shame when a really tense, interesting and challengeing game is on the go.  Similarily i always feel bad when they blunder.. id rather they didnt and i knew i had beaten them by skill alone, not a blunder.

NB a blunder is not the same as a mistake impo ;)

Luck or blunders can ruin the "art" or "science" of chess, so it is a part of chess impo, but it is not in the "hands of the gods" as luck is often meant..rather in our own hands heh. Cheers

 The reason i always say "good luck" before my games, in two reasons, is...

1- To give a feeling of sportsmanship, as a sort of greeting.

2- To try and give you luck to not make mistakes such as giving me a free queen:)