The take-back system is great for when someone fumbles their mouse and makes the wrong move, or makes a massive blunder in an otherwise heated match that both players are invested in.
I used to give take-backs any time someone would ask for one, but after numerous experiences with players trying to abuse take-backs to correct their tactical mistakes, instead of as a system for accidents and spontaneous blunders.
Unreasonable take-back requests come so often at the 1200-1500 level in blitz and classical that they could easily be a majority of the take-back requests I get.
In the last month, my friend and I started asking players who make suspicious take-back requests (see my etiquette list below) why they want a take-back because my rating was actually going down due to losing games I would have otherwise won after accepting multiple take-back requests.
When we actually started asking players why they want a take-back, we got replies including 'I see a better move', 'I need my bishop' and my favourite, 'shut up woman'.
I do not want to punish everyone I play with because of a few bad experiences, but this has been a lot more than a 'few'.
I try to ask "why?" to players who ask for a take-back, and if they say it's a fumble, even if they're lying, I'll let them take it back.
This would be a fair solution, but it does not work because so many players never view chat at all or don't speak enough English to answer.
For now, my etiquette is this:
> Accept a take-back no questions asked if it is requested right after a move, especially a blunder.
> Take-backs that are requested...
...long after they make their move ...
...after I make a move in response, as if they realized their mistake ...
...right before/after a draw request in a lost position (a draw request in an obviously lost position always seems desperate to me) ...
...when I let them take back their last blunder and they ask for more...
... I will respond to with "why?", and if they don't answer, I will leave the take-back request open and add time to their timer to give them time to respond.
Does this seem reasonable to you, or do you think I'm going too far?
When do you refuse or ignore take-backs in rated games?
I used to give take-backs any time someone would ask for one, but after numerous experiences with players trying to abuse take-backs to correct their tactical mistakes, instead of as a system for accidents and spontaneous blunders.
Unreasonable take-back requests come so often at the 1200-1500 level in blitz and classical that they could easily be a majority of the take-back requests I get.
In the last month, my friend and I started asking players who make suspicious take-back requests (see my etiquette list below) why they want a take-back because my rating was actually going down due to losing games I would have otherwise won after accepting multiple take-back requests.
When we actually started asking players why they want a take-back, we got replies including 'I see a better move', 'I need my bishop' and my favourite, 'shut up woman'.
I do not want to punish everyone I play with because of a few bad experiences, but this has been a lot more than a 'few'.
I try to ask "why?" to players who ask for a take-back, and if they say it's a fumble, even if they're lying, I'll let them take it back.
This would be a fair solution, but it does not work because so many players never view chat at all or don't speak enough English to answer.
For now, my etiquette is this:
> Accept a take-back no questions asked if it is requested right after a move, especially a blunder.
> Take-backs that are requested...
...long after they make their move ...
...after I make a move in response, as if they realized their mistake ...
...right before/after a draw request in a lost position (a draw request in an obviously lost position always seems desperate to me) ...
...when I let them take back their last blunder and they ask for more...
... I will respond to with "why?", and if they don't answer, I will leave the take-back request open and add time to their timer to give them time to respond.
Does this seem reasonable to you, or do you think I'm going too far?
When do you refuse or ignore take-backs in rated games?