5. Take your time to capture a piece, snap it off dramatically, or slam pieces down

Nothing screams bad manners like a player who turns every move into a performance. Some players will hover their hand dramatically, pause for effect, and then smash their piece onto the board like they just dropped a bomb. It’s meant to intimidate or embarrass, but in truth, it just shows insecurity. In serious tournaments, slamming the clock or pieces can even get you penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Cool fact: Former world champion Anatoly Karpov was so calm during games that he barely made a sound when moving — his opponents said it felt like they were playing against a ghost. The real power move isn’t slamming the piece, it’s staying silent and unshaken.

 

 

 

4. Refuse to shake hands or acknowledge your opponent

One of the oldest and most sacred traditions in chess is the handshake. It signals respect, even between enemies across the board. Refusing to shake hands — or ignoring your opponent entirely — sends a message that you think they’re beneath you. It’s been done before, but it never looks good.

Cool fact: In 2008, during the Chess World Cup, Grandmaster Ivan Cheparinov refused to shake Nigel Short’s hand before their game. Short protested, and the officials actually ruled the game forfeited against Cheparinov until he agreed to replay — with a proper handshake. Chess doesn’t tolerate disrespect.

 

 

 

3. Trash talk or mock mistakes during the game

A little friendly banter can be fun in blitz or street chess, but crossing into mockery is disrespectful. Laughing after a blunder, calling out moves like “wow, really?” or shaking your head after every play isn’t confidence — it’s poor sportsmanship. Trash talk is common in sports, but chess is supposed to test intelligence and composure, not ego.

Cool fact: Hikaru Nakamura is known for playful trash talk in online blitz, but he backs it up with insane skill. Even then, when the game gets serious, he stays professional. The greats know when to keep quiet — because silence is the loudest flex in chess.

 

 

 

2. Resign and then offer commentary about how you would have won

This one’s painfully common. You lose, hit resign, and then say something like, “If I hadn’t blundered on move 22, you were dead.” It might feel like saving face, but it’s just dismissive. A win is a win, and your opponent deserves respect for earning it. Post-game analysis is great when both players agree to discuss it, but unsolicited commentary makes you sound salty.

Cool fact: Even Bobby Fischer, who was infamous for his ego, rarely belittled an opponent’s win after losing. When he was defeated, he’d vanish to study his mistakes in silence — and come back twice as strong next time. That’s how champions handle loss.

 

 

 

 

1. Deliberately slow down the clock when you're winning

Nothing tests patience like an opponent who’s completely winning and decides to stall just to annoy you. They stop moving, check their phone, pretend to think — anything to make the clock tick down. It’s the chess equivalent of showboating at the end of a fight. Sure, you’ll win, but you’ll lose respect doing it.

Cool fact: In professional chess, “clock abuse” is actually against the rules. FIDE regulations allow arbiters to penalize or even disqualify players who deliberately stall in a won position. In other words, being disrespectful isn’t just rude — it can cost you the game.

 

 

 

Keep the Game Classy

Every match is a reflection of who you are as a player. Winning without respect makes the victory hollow, and losing with grace earns you more honor than any trophy. True chess warriors understand that it’s not just about moves, it’s about mindset.

 

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