I might also suggest that the victory should be automatically awarded to someone
when his opponent times out. This would remove the stigma that is attached to
someone for claiming a rightful timeout victory and would place the full burden
where it belongs: on the person who has neglected his games to the point where
they are in default of the timeout perameters.
That's not a bad idea-- I know some other sites do it that way.
(though it is nice to be able to ask for latitude from other players in
certain circumstances).
But again, if this is to happen, the timeout status of games
*needs* to be more obvious. I can't stress this enough. It's just way
too easy to be unaware of a timeout as it is-- particularly when you
are the recipient of a challenge.
Do we really think that Bagger2000 and Archbold were "neglecting"
their games?
I have timed out on only one of the 116 games I have played here. During that one
game I had told my opponent that I would not be able to move and asked that he
not time out on me. He obliged my request. It was up to me to manage my games in
a professional manner. If I let my game time out for no apparent reason, then
this is just sloppiness on my part and shows little respect for my opponent.
I have timed out on only one of the 116 games I have played here. During that one
game I had told my opponent that I would not be able to move and asked that he
not time out on me. He obliged my request. It was up to me to manage my games in
a professional manner. If I let my game time out for no apparent reason, then
this is just sloppiness on my part and shows little respect for my opponent.
Quite so--- but I think going a few hours over a three day timeout,
when (as I've said) the site is set up to make it difficult to keep track
of timeouts, is not the same as "letting your game time out for no
apparent reason."
Because in that case, the reason _is_ apparent-- the challenged
player was unaware of the timeout. It seems to me that if it's
plausible that your opponent doesn't know what the game's timeout
period is, the polite thing to do is send a reminder before giving them
the loss.
Notice, I say the "polite" thing, not the "required" thing. Players can
act however they want under the rules. That doesn't mean, though,
that we shouldn't criticize any behavior that doesn't break the rules.
It's possible to do something that's both legal and worthy of
disapproval.
Anyway, we're going around in circles here-- I think we've both made
our positions pretty plain.
If nothing else, this thread has made clear that there's a certain
difference of opinion on this topic among players. It's probably also
made people more wary about timeouts and challenges, which is all to
the good.
What if your opponent had a good reason for not moving, which you were well aware of?
Then I think it would be unsporting to time them out. Otherwise, my view is this:
If you lose by timeout, it's your fault.
If claim a timeout, it's your choice.
I don't attach any stigma to people whom I claim timeouts against, nor would I against those
who claim/don't claim against me; I will play anyone again unless they were so much better/
worse than me that the game wouldn't be any fun, abusive or if they were losing and started
repeatedly offering draws and/or moving after exactly 6 days 23 hrs each time just to annoy
me. Also, I don't read too much into the time limits people prefer. Many 21-day players
move much more regularly than that, but don't like the idea of winning by timeout. Besides,
if you're a Pawn Star you can always start more games.
I will take this opportunity to point out that seven of Xenophobe's eight losses
have been time out defeats. If his opponents had been so gallant as to not time
out on him, he would still be on top of the RHP ratings list. But I do not recall
a single person suggesting that he had been treated unfairly for this. It would
seem that chivalry is only to be granted to popular players.
Greetings Fellow Players,
I have just become aware of the upset my "loss" has created. I lost
on time and that is that. The explanation for my defeat lies in
accepting a challenge without checking the timeout terms first. I play
on a number of sites and that may have led to the confusion. The
worst part for myself was that I had written my 6th move down but had
not yet logged it on the site. I wish you all the best and remember
please be careful to check the challenges you are offered. Let chess
be the winner here. Good luck to you all.
archbold.
I can't say for others here, but I think you have, by far, the best
attitude about this whole matter.
I applaud you for demonstrating to others that taking responsibility
for one's actions is still a behavior shown by honorable persons, such
as yourself!
May the rest of your games be as you wish them to be! Take care.