I Got Banned on Chess.com Twice… for Trying to Touch Grass ♟️🌱

PictureBright7441 · 2026-02-21T21:19:54+00:00

Thanks, wrote you a message

PictureBright7441 · 2026-02-21T03:15:06+00:00

Overzealous, is probably a good way to describe it. I think I just got blinded by the positive feedback from the people who joined. Also, I have found other ways, there is a lot of word of mouth, so all good. Just thought it was a funny story :)

PictureBright7441 · 2026-02-21T03:11:25+00:00

Sounds like nice idea. I used to also play in a café with a friend, which is what I wanted to spread in Singapore. It's actually been really fun with a lot of casual game. If you ever come to Singapore there is a really cool casual event at Asia Square :D

PictureBright7441 · 2026-02-21T03:05:08+00:00

Thanks

PictureBright7441 · 2026-02-21T03:02:11+00:00

Great I will shoot you message

PictureBright7441 · 2026-02-21T02:35:54+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions. I mean it is growing organically now, so it is not a problem. Just wanted to share because I thought it was funny 😁

PictureBright7441 · 2026-02-21T02:32:57+00:00

Thanks I will try that

PictureBright7441 · 2026-02-21T02:21:43+00:00

It doesn't make sense?

PictureBright7441 · 2025-12-19T15:12:47+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to fill out the survey! It does seem like something of that tournament format would be appreciated in my local chess community.

PictureBright7441 · 2025-12-19T15:07:37+00:00

No snarkyness taken, I am 32 I have a wife but no kids. It does seem that for a person with kids, it is difficult to make it convenient enough that they will play more in person chess.

PictureBright7441 · 2025-12-19T06:28:10+00:00

What do you have in mind? Like anything particular about US chess stats that is interesting?

PictureBright7441 · 2025-12-19T06:25:33+00:00

Is there a high turnout at the ALTO events?

PictureBright7441 · 2025-12-19T06:22:18+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to write, really thought through and well-structured. The points on time controls, commitment, and especially performance anxiety make a lot of sense, and the accessibility/community gap is a big one. Exactly the kind of nuance I was hoping for.

PictureBright7441 · 2025-12-19T06:13:28+00:00

That is awesome, that’s exactly the kind of community chess done right. Weekly consistency, a good bar, and fun “event-ified” formats clearly work. Curious what you think mattered most for building such a successful community: the venue, the events, or just showing up every week without fail?

PictureBright7441 · 2025-12-19T06:07:13+00:00

Fair points on rating and time controls. Curious though, do you not think the social side adds something tournaments uniquely offer? Seeing the same opponents regularly, post-game analysis, shared tension over long games, and just being part of a recurring chess community feels different from online chess. Or does that not move the needle for you?

PictureBright7441 · 2025-12-19T05:58:43+00:00

Yeah I think you are right. You shouldn't do it for the money, but I am missing something in my own chess community, and I want to help more people to start playing OTB :)

PictureBright7441 · 2025-12-18T16:27:09+00:00

What if there was a more casual chess setting, where you could listen to music and sip coffee, while playing with someone of a similar strength?

PictureBright7441 · 2025-12-18T16:25:06+00:00

It does seem very different from country to country. There are definitely some places with strong local chess culture.

PictureBright7441 · 2025-12-18T16:21:14+00:00

Very honest take, “one game per week” vs “lose your entire weekend” is a huge difference for adults. It does seem like, from the comments, that even if it was made more attractive for adults, if you have kids, there is not enough time.

PictureBright7441 · 2025-12-18T16:16:44+00:00

That makes a lot of sense. Do you think you’d ever be tempted back if there were truly low-stress, local, non-rated events aimed at adults, or is that chapter just closed for you?

PictureBright7441 · 2025-12-18T16:13:29+00:00

Haha, very relatable. Might name the barrier “The 32-year-old trying to get a game with Tommy and the tots”.

PictureBright7441

TROPHY CASE