Another etiquette question - taking back moves

[Meadmaker]

@Akzidenz

@Meadmaker

Maybe the best solution would be to just study and practice so I don’t end up playing seven year olds, but that’s a lot of work.

I am almost exactly where you are, ratings-wise. It’s harder to get good at this as a middle-aged person.

You realize we could go up a class or two, and still be playing seven-year-olds, right? Better to simply get used to playing kids, and maybe pack some Kleenex in case your opponent bursts into tears.

I take it as a given that the kid across the board from me has the “quick brain” advantage. Against that, I have the ability to sit still for four hours, and perhaps make fewer mistakes. Yes, I would take the queen.

Yeah, after 25 years of participating heavily in athletics, which was not exactly my best strength, I decided to take up an intellectual activity which I should be good at. It turns out not so much. Timing is everything.

But it’s fun, and it doesn’t hurt as much. Yes, I know I will continually be being passed by youngsters, but I feel like if I could just add two hundred points, they wouldn’t be the youngsters who hang queens.

And I must admit that part of my decision to take the queen, and not give a nod and a wink to the rules by letting him take back the blunder, was based on sad experience. Sometimes youngsters can be quite good, but make a lot of blunders. I figured I had better take it while I could. He might just be warming up.