Is it possible to make true (and real) friendship between two chess players?

From one of my game on chess.com, me and my opponent initially involved in warm conversation, but after the game reached decisive stage and finally i launched mating attack, my opponent just went offline (after he hit resign button), without saying anything. I am totally fine and ease with that behavior (and actually he was very nice), but it has just made me wondering, whether real friendship can be made between two serious chess players? 

Imagined that during the intense game, both players launch a lot of deadly tactics and traps to destroy each other position. Strategy has been prepared, not just to weakened opponent position on the board, but also to give some psychological pressure to our opponent (such as by utilize our advantage in time control). So the question is, can both players release their fighting emotion (sincerely) after the chess game ended, and become a true friend again in real life?

During some chess events, i often see some players hang out together during the rest days of competition and looks like they enjoy their moment together. Do they really show the sincere friendship among each other? or deep down inside their heart, they still have hard feeling each other, as a result of their chess battle? Whats your opinion? :) If you have some friendship experience with your chess player colleagues, please share those with us.

Yes I have lots of chess playing friends. Or Do you mean only on this site?

Both, for real tournament and online games. And it's nice to hear that sincere friendship can happen in this sport :)

Sure, in Otb chess its very likely to find new friends because mostly you analyse the game with your opponent after it finished, so you talk a lot there. And its also nice when you play at local tournaments, where you always see some of the Same guys, so you always stay in contact. Thats one big thing I like about chess, its such a fair and kind sport :)

Chess is not only a competitive sport.  It also has many artistic elements that can help form a shared bond between chess players.  So, even among the fiercest chess competitors, I see no reason why they cannot be true friends since the game provides such a wonderful potential bond.

There was a time last year when Anand was not sure whether he would be playing the Candidates. It was his long-time rival Kramnik who urged him to take part in the tournament. 

"During the Chess Classic in London in January, Kramnik lost one of those bad games against Hikaru and we went for dinner so that he could feel better. But it turned the other way round. He was trying to cheer me up and was persuasive about me playing Candidates." 

I made lots of good friends over the board. But online ? Lol

No, chess players are notoriously cold and unapproachable, without exception.

Now go away.

Can anyone out there say 'Welcome' mat ?

Well, it's kinda hard to go out and meet new people when you're stuck in a submarine....

Hadn't thought of that! Ok I take it back.

Yes, I carry one around with me wherever I go.

This one?

Right, and I always rotate it to the correct position.

Insightful.

Not insightful.

Insightful.

What is best in chess? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women...

Isn't that the way it's always been?

whatever floats your boat I guess.