Chess is it a game of etiquette?

The handshake before a game, I would argue, means agreeing, despite all controversy, there is always friendly negotiation left, and it is always a good beginning meeting on the exemplarily fair grounds of a game of chess.

If you actually believe shaking hands is a good idea, not even mentioning Flu or Covid, look up MRSA. people who have MRSA are often filthy and unclean individuals who pick their nose, and do not wash hands after the bathroom or doing other things. This disease can be fatal as it is resistant to all known medication and resides in the nostrils of the infected. Not to mention E coli and Hep, as well as any contagion which can be lethal to certain people. So risk your life to shake hands with a filthy disgusting person carrying diseases? At least wear disposable gloves and take it from there.

I think you hit the nail on the head.

A lot worse has been said on and off the pitch in football, and I can only think of a handful of instances where players refused to shake hands and most of them are centered around John Terry! (e.g. Wayne Bridge refused to shake hands after Terry slept with his wife; Rio Ferdinand refused to shake Terry's hand in a separate instance after being called a "f***ing black c**t.")

Even Frazier and Muhammad Ali touched gloves after Ali hurled racial epithets at him for months straight, in public and in private - and even though Frazier hated Ali 'til the day he died because of it.

The interesting thing is how the handshake evolved I believe in the middle ages as a way of showing you had no weapon in your hand which escalated into a grip contest. I think we are past it.

We honor Victor Korchnoi, the man of chess etiquette...

In martial arts some opponents strike at the moment of the handshake. You raise you right hand and they hit you with a liver shot. Sometimes they go for a head kick directly to the temple or a question mark kick to hit the base of the neck at the spine. They don't mind publicly dishonoring themselves to get an easy paycheck. Not to mention pulling a blade with the left hand, stick them under the ribs first then quickly to the jugular while they try to un grip your hand. Still want to shake a strangers hand?

Welcome to the final of the Rudeness World Cup! Our contestants...

1. Victor Korchnoi
2. Ivan Cheparinov

Both from the world of chess, they are sure to drive everyone nuts.

3. Jimmy Connors. From the tennis 80's universe, he will do anything to win!

Finally from the world of yachting...

4. Dennis Conner: You're a loser!

@TheBoarShark Well, if he says something like that, its bad sportsmanship from him. If he said it day before the game, then i would definetely shake his hand anyway. If he says it right now, then maybe i would, maybe i would not. If he does'nt have a knife in his other hand, probably i would still shake it. The question is'nt whether you think this player is a good person, question is if you think you can play a fair game. If you think its true then shake his hand. You can punch him in the face outside the playing room after the tournament.

If someone sais something like that and you are mad at him and want him to die in a worse way then your emotions will cloud your judgement and he provoked a weakness in you and you will more likely to lose a game. You always have to give respect that a player or a position deserves. Otherwise your being arrogant and arrogance or anger almoust ALWAYS lowers your chances to win the game by a lot.

Few typical ways to provoke emotional reactions in enemies are:
1) Bringing weird food to the chess game (cabbages, raw potatos, to distract opponent)
2) Dressing up in a weird way - dress like going to opera or very colorful suits, dress like going to a club ect...
3) Slamming your pieces loudly with each move
4) Grinning or saying some wise ass comments

Some tournaments allow it, some call it bad sportmanship and dont allow it. If it is allowed, then its your job not to get provoked or distracted. But either way, opponent who does that shows bad sportsmenship and the win is not only because hes a good chess player.

If you dont shake hand, then you show that youre already provoked or trying to provoke opponent.

I have lost so many games, by disrespecting opponent. If you can provoke him just with your moves, bluffing or going for silly openings, then its just part of the game and its allowed almoust everywhere. Same with winning on time, trying to play out drawn positions to move 50 ect... Its allowed, almoust everywhere these days. But even in some places, if its a draw on the board, say 2 opposite color bishops and 1 pawn and both are 2000-2300 rated players, a player can call the judge and say that hes trying to cheese me, by playing it out. Judge can ask then to the person who has a pawn - whats your plan to win this game? If a player says that he wants to just move his pieces very fast and hope that opponent makes a mistake, judge doesnt accept it and declares a draw.

Crazy stuff. At pro level now do they all still shake hands - minus the covid time period?
Seven people disliked the question so they do not shake hands?

Of course pros always shake hands, everyone in normal normal tournaments in our region does as well (with international rating, politeness, prizes, where they drink and play or some local clubs can be different of course)

I am honestly a little bit insulted by the question itself, how can you not know that? Never play tournaments or what? Is online 3 minute chess what you think is chess? Chess is all about tournaments, classical or rapid chess, where ideas are born, where chess is an adventure, where its a battle between two minds. Here 1-3 min chess is just like - one guy has expirience and other guy has, put your expirience on table and he puts his and then time scramble decides. Thats not what chess is... Go to a classical tournament sometime and you will understand what im talking about. When you meet people from all around the world or all around country, when you get new friends, when organizers create polite and respectful envoiranment. When you meet the some big name grandmasters in person, or at least see how they talk with others... Its all a big adventure! I dont know how can you not shake hands in this friendly, respectful atmosphere... Thats not even a question!