What they said, what we think they meant - OzChess

**Grant Szuveges** · 04-07-2011, 04:47 AM

One thing I love about watching sport is all the spin - ie all the rubbish that players, coaches, managers, presidents etc talk when being interviewed by the media. For example, a footballer whose team has just won a game by 50 points against a much weaker team may say something like:

"Yeah, we had a good win today. Our opponents are a quality outfit and we had to be careful not to take them lightly but we worked hard and were lucky enough to end up having a win"

What they basically meant (and everyone knows it) was something like:

"We are a much much better team than they are and we were always going to belt them but we had better be polite so that it doesnt give them any ammunition next time we play them because they may have improved in the meantime"

The player may also have put in a great individual performance getting a heap of the ball and kicking 6 goals or something. The interview continues:

"Yeah, I had a good game personally, but the most important thing is that the team had a win and the other boys played really well and I ended up kicking some of those goals because the boys kept kicking it to me etc etc etc"

What we think he meant:

"Well, Im easily the best player in the team and I played an absolute blinder"

Coaches usually put in an even better effort when it comes to these things, as do administrators....

I think people get the picture...

Well, Ive been thinking, that you often get a lot of this in chess too. A few years ago, I saw a 2100 type player showing someone a game in which he had a lucky win against a 1500 player. At one point he said:

"If he had played this move, I wouldve resigned"

What we think he meant:

"If he had played this move I wouldve had to defend a lot more carefully but I wouldve beaten him anyway because he is a bunny and even if he did find this move, he wouldnt have known how to follow it up properly etc"

Another example, when talking to a club president or official who has been asked if he would like the state association to move its headquarters from a rival club to his club (I was once asked this question myself)

What he said:

"No, the situation is fine how it is. They are well situated there"

What we think he meant:

"The state association are their problem now, not ours"

Now lets think about how much rubbish gets talked in chess - particularly on the forums as well as at clubs and lets come up with a few "what they said, what we think they meant"s!

**Pablito15** · 04-07-2011, 12:10 PM

Militin Krunic: Tell Baron if he no come soon I start his clock
(I am sick of waiting)

Michael Baron (Shouted from the main room to the tournie hall): Ok!!Tell Krunic I'll be in there in a minute to F*** HIS A***!!
(I will win in a crushing fashion)

Krunic: Silence...
(I may have made a mistake...)

**Grant Szuveges** · 04-07-2011, 05:15 PM

You have almost got it right (you understood it much better than anyone on chesschat seems to have), but it is better suited to something like this:

WHAT HE SAID
"Im sick of waiting"

WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT
"If he doesnt come to the board right now I will start his clock"

Judging by the responses, Im not really sure that anyone on either forum completely understood what I was intending with this thread. Here is an example of how it is supposed to work:

WHAT HE SAID:
"I hear there was controversy with the B group prizes."
(David Beaumont aka Firegoat7 in the MCC allegro thread)

WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT
"Ive heard that there was some sort of issue on Saturday and I want to generate some publicity for the MCC and its allegro, and even though this is negative publicity, its better than no publicity and thus people will at least read the threads more and that will be good for the club in my opinion."

WHAT HE SAID
"And what was that Mr. Goat?"
(Paul Cavezza aka Pablito, in response to Beaumonts comment)

WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT
"Stop trying to stir the pot"

OR

"On behalf of the MCC, Im putting this pointless comment right back on you"

I think that people will gradually start to understand it all as they find suitable examples amongst the forums...

**Just2Good** · 04-07-2011, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Grant Szuveges

Now lets think about how much rubbish gets talked in chess - particularly on the forums as well as at clubs and lets come up with a few "what they said, what we think they meant"s!

How about this one Grant:

Australia's Premier Chess Forum

**Firegoat7** · 04-07-2011, 06:21 PM

Hehe,

Who says...

"I'm not going to take your bishop..."

(Like hell I am not going to take your bishop....")

**Lekko** · 04-07-2011, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Pablito15

Militin Krunic: Tell Baron if he no come soon I start his clock
(I am sick of waiting)

Michael Baron (Shouted from the main room to the tournie hall): Ok!!Tell Krunic I'll be in there in a minute to F*** HIS A***!!
(I will win in a crushing fashion)

Krunic: Silence...
(I may have made a mistake...)

he wants to do what to krunic's what? D:

**Firegoat7** · 04-07-2011, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Grant Szuveges

WHAT HE SAID:
"I hear there was controversy with the B group prizes."
(David Beaumont aka Firegoat7 in the MCC allegro thread)

WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT
"Ive heard that there was some sort of issue on Saturday and I want to generate some publicity for the MCC and its allegro, and even though this is negative publicity, its better than no publicity and thus people will at least read the threads more and that will be good for the club in my opinion."

Nah its like .There really was controversy this time , but because Michael Baron was not involved nobody noticed.

Originally Posted by Grant Szuveges

WHAT HE SAID
"And what was that Mr. Goat?"
(Paul Cavezza aka Pablito, in response to Beaumonts comment)

WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT
"Stop trying to stir the pot"

OR

"On behalf of the MCC, Im putting this pointless comment right back on you"

Nah I reckon its like. I know what you are talking about because I saw you yesterday, but I will be diplomatic and let you elaborate further...

**Lekko** · 04-07-2011, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by Firegoat7

Nah its like .There really was controversy this time , but because Michael Baron was not involved nobody noticed..

What were people complaining about the best junior prize or something? =_="

**epacris longiflora** · 04-08-2011, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by Grant Szuveges

You have almost got it right (you understood it much better than anyone on chesschat seems to have), but it is better suited to something like this:

WHAT HE SAID
"Im sick of waiting"

WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT
"If he doesnt come to the board right now I will start his clock"

Judging by the responses, Im not really sure that anyone on either forum completely understood what I was intending with this thread. Here is an example of how it is supposed to work:

WHAT HE SAID:
"I hear there was controversy with the B group prizes."
(David Beaumont aka Firegoat7 in the MCC allegro thread)

WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT
"Ive heard that there was some sort of issue on Saturday and I want to generate some publicity for the MCC and its allegro, and even though this is negative publicity, its better than no publicity and thus people will at least read the threads more and that will be good for the club in my opinion."

WHAT HE SAID
"And what was that Mr. Goat?"
(Paul Cavezza aka Pablito, in response to Beaumonts comment)

WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT
"Stop trying to stir the pot"

OR

"On behalf of the MCC, Im putting this pointless comment right back on you"

I think that people will gradually start to understand it all as they find suitable examples amongst the forums...

This is in fact called meta-talk and is a formal communication skill taught in courses on NEGOTIATION.

Meta-Talk is a start point link if you wish to pursue.

**Firegoat7** · 04-08-2011, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by Heartbreak Kid

What were people complaining about the best junior prize or something? =_="

Nobody complained which was surprising! I told the culprit off, but he just turned around to me and said "... Well it's my game I can do what I want"

Made me laugh anyways. Besides I don't think anybody wanted to mess with this bunch, they are like a pack of piranhas!!!!

**Grant Szuveges** · 04-13-2011, 01:08 AM

WHAT HE SAID:
"Meh, 7pm until 7am that is the real tradition!!"
(David Beaumont on the idea of a Friday night MCC blitz marathon)

WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT:
"It might be the real tradition, but buggered if Im actually going to play in."

**Lekko** · 04-13-2011, 01:18 AM

Urban: I 6-0'd Frank!

what he meant to say:
I was down a queen in 4 games, down a rook in 1 other and won the positions on time... I only managed to win the last one on position.

**Firegoat7** · 04-13-2011, 02:25 AM

Originally Posted by Grant Szuveges

WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT:
"It might be the real tradition, but buggered if Im actually going to play in."

WHAT WE THINK OF WHAT THEY THINK WE THINK:

"It really is THE tradition, but only for diehards like Richard Voon and Ellie Beranjia! Everyone else is a pretender!"

**Grant Szuveges** · 05-19-2011, 10:00 PM

WHAT HE SAID

"Good Idea Grant. Will there be food?"
(David Beaumont commenting on the Fitzroy Skittles)

WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT

1. There was food at the Beaumaris Skittles - so are we going to continue the tradition?

2. I just had to say something as random as possible.

3. Can anyone else think of anything he may have meant by that???

**Grant Szuveges** · 06-02-2011, 03:52 AM

WHAT HE SAID:

"I wasn't entirely happy about the 2.5 score group, but haven't the time or energy to work out why, so we go with the SP pairings as promised at the tournament opening"

(Carka Gorka aka Mowcop in the MCC Open thread when discussing the pairings as the arbiter)

WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT:

"Like almost everybody else in the world has also stated, the Dutch Pairing Rules are completely illogical and come up with some absolutely bizarre pairings based on anything but common sense. That said, I will be diplomatic about this so as to not start a debate about it on the chess forums..."

04-07-2011, 04:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
Grant Szuveges Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,003	What they said, what we think they meant One thing I love about watching sport is all the spin - ie all the rubbish that players, coaches, managers, presidents etc talk when being interviewed by the media. For example, a footballer whose team has just won a game by 50 points against a much weaker team may say something like: "Yeah, we had a good win today. Our opponents are a quality outfit and we had to be careful not to take them lightly but we worked hard and were lucky enough to end up having a win" What they basically meant (and everyone knows it) was something like: "We are a much much better team than they are and we were always going to belt them but we had better be polite so that it doesnt give them any ammunition next time we play them because they may have improved in the meantime" The player may also have put in a great individual performance getting a heap of the ball and kicking 6 goals or something. The interview continues: "Yeah, I had a good game personally, but the most important thing is that the team had a win and the other boys played really well and I ended up kicking some of those goals because the boys kept kicking it to me etc etc etc" What we think he meant: "Well, Im easily the best player in the team and I played an absolute blinder" Coaches usually put in an even better effort when it comes to these things, as do administrators.... I think people get the picture... Well, Ive been thinking, that you often get a lot of this in chess too. A few years ago, I saw a 2100 type player showing someone a game in which he had a lucky win against a 1500 player. At one point he said: "If he had played this move, I wouldve resigned" What we think he meant: "If he had played this move I wouldve had to defend a lot more carefully but I wouldve beaten him anyway because he is a bunny and even if he did find this move, he wouldnt have known how to follow it up properly etc" Another example, when talking to a club president or official who has been asked if he would like the state association to move its headquarters from a rival club to his club (I was once asked this question myself) What he said: "No, the situation is fine how it is. They are well situated there" What we think he meant: "The state association are their problem now, not ours" Now lets think about how much rubbish gets talked in chess - particularly on the forums as well as at clubs and lets come up with a few "what they said, what we think they meant"s! __________________ People who have nothing to hide post using their real names...

04-07-2011, 12:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pablito15 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 668	Militin Krunic: Tell Baron if he no come soon I start his clock (I am sick of waiting) Michael Baron (Shouted from the main room to the tournie hall): Ok!!Tell Krunic I'll be in there in a minute to F* HIS A*!! (I will win in a crushing fashion) Krunic: Silence... (I may have made a mistake...) __________________ My Blog!

04-07-2011, 05:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Grant Szuveges Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,003	You have almost got it right (you understood it much better than anyone on chesschat seems to have), but it is better suited to something like this: WHAT HE SAID "Im sick of waiting" WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT "If he doesnt come to the board right now I will start his clock" Judging by the responses, Im not really sure that anyone on either forum completely understood what I was intending with this thread. Here is an example of how it is supposed to work: WHAT HE SAID: "I hear there was controversy with the B group prizes." (David Beaumont aka Firegoat7 in the MCC allegro thread) WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT "Ive heard that there was some sort of issue on Saturday and I want to generate some publicity for the MCC and its allegro, and even though this is negative publicity, its better than no publicity and thus people will at least read the threads more and that will be good for the club in my opinion." WHAT HE SAID "And what was that Mr. Goat?" (Paul Cavezza aka Pablito, in response to Beaumonts comment) WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT "Stop trying to stir the pot" OR "On behalf of the MCC, Im putting this pointless comment right back on you" I think that people will gradually start to understand it all as they find suitable examples amongst the forums... __________________ People who have nothing to hide post using their real names...

04-07-2011, 06:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Originally Posted by Grant Szuveges Now lets think about how much rubbish gets talked in chess - particularly on the forums as well as at clubs and lets come up with a few "what they said, what we think they meant"s! How about this one Grant: Australia's Premier Chess Forum __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

04-07-2011, 06:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Firegoat7 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Getting owned by White in the Dragon and trying to recover lost positions from shock paralysis OTB Posts: 2,044 ICC Handle: guest	Hehe, Who says... "I'm not going to take your bishop..." (Like hell I am not going to take your bishop....") __________________ "...What I meant? Dear Mr Ian Rout (ACF news publisher) could you please put Ozchessforum in the next news letter! There is no reason to hide this forum from the Australian chess public. What they meant? Sorry, No english!- Amir Karibasic

04-07-2011, 06:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lekko HBK Join Date: May 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,359 ICC Handle: Heartbreak-Kid FICS Handle: HeartBreakingKid	Originally Posted by Pablito15 Militin Krunic: Tell Baron if he no come soon I start his clock (I am sick of waiting) Michael Baron (Shouted from the main room to the tournie hall): Ok!!Tell Krunic I'll be in there in a minute to F* HIS A!! (I will win in a crushing fashion) Krunic: Silence... (I may have made a mistake...) he wants to do what to krunic's what? D: __________________ Originally Posted by Iconoclast* Girls attract boys. more girls playing chess = many more boys playing chess

04-07-2011, 06:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
Firegoat7 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Getting owned by White in the Dragon and trying to recover lost positions from shock paralysis OTB Posts: 2,044 ICC Handle: guest	Originally Posted by Grant Szuveges WHAT HE SAID: "I hear there was controversy with the B group prizes." (David Beaumont aka Firegoat7 in the MCC allegro thread) WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT "Ive heard that there was some sort of issue on Saturday and I want to generate some publicity for the MCC and its allegro, and even though this is negative publicity, its better than no publicity and thus people will at least read the threads more and that will be good for the club in my opinion." Nah its like .There really was controversy this time , but because Michael Baron was not involved nobody noticed. Originally Posted by Grant Szuveges WHAT HE SAID "And what was that Mr. Goat?" (Paul Cavezza aka Pablito, in response to Beaumonts comment) WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT "Stop trying to stir the pot" OR "On behalf of the MCC, Im putting this pointless comment right back on you" Nah I reckon its like. I know what you are talking about because I saw you yesterday, but I will be diplomatic and let you elaborate further... __________________ "...What I meant? Dear Mr Ian Rout (ACF news publisher) could you please put Ozchessforum in the next news letter! There is no reason to hide this forum from the Australian chess public. What they meant? Sorry, No english!- Amir Karibasic

04-07-2011, 07:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
Lekko HBK Join Date: May 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,359 ICC Handle: Heartbreak-Kid FICS Handle: HeartBreakingKid	Originally Posted by Firegoat7 Nah its like .There really was controversy this time , but because Michael Baron was not involved nobody noticed.. What were people complaining about the best junior prize or something? =_=" __________________ Originally Posted by Iconoclast Girls attract boys. more girls playing chess = many more boys playing chess

04-08-2011, 12:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
epacris longiflora Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mana Posts: 28	Originally Posted by Grant Szuveges You have almost got it right (you understood it much better than anyone on chesschat seems to have), but it is better suited to something like this: WHAT HE SAID "Im sick of waiting" WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT "If he doesnt come to the board right now I will start his clock" Judging by the responses, Im not really sure that anyone on either forum completely understood what I was intending with this thread. Here is an example of how it is supposed to work: WHAT HE SAID: "I hear there was controversy with the B group prizes." (David Beaumont aka Firegoat7 in the MCC allegro thread) WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT "Ive heard that there was some sort of issue on Saturday and I want to generate some publicity for the MCC and its allegro, and even though this is negative publicity, its better than no publicity and thus people will at least read the threads more and that will be good for the club in my opinion." WHAT HE SAID "And what was that Mr. Goat?" (Paul Cavezza aka Pablito, in response to Beaumonts comment) WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT "Stop trying to stir the pot" OR "On behalf of the MCC, Im putting this pointless comment right back on you" I think that people will gradually start to understand it all as they find suitable examples amongst the forums... This is in fact called meta-talk and is a formal communication skill taught in courses on NEGOTIATION. Meta-Talk is a start point link if you wish to pursue.

04-08-2011, 01:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
Firegoat7 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Getting owned by White in the Dragon and trying to recover lost positions from shock paralysis OTB Posts: 2,044 ICC Handle: guest	Originally Posted by Heartbreak Kid What were people complaining about the best junior prize or something? =_=" Nobody complained which was surprising! I told the culprit off, but he just turned around to me and said "... Well it's my game I can do what I want" Made me laugh anyways. Besides I don't think anybody wanted to mess with this bunch, they are like a pack of piranhas!!!! __________________ "...What I meant? Dear Mr Ian Rout (ACF news publisher) could you please put Ozchessforum in the next news letter! There is no reason to hide this forum from the Australian chess public. What they meant? Sorry, No english!- Amir Karibasic

04-13-2011, 01:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
Grant Szuveges Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,003	WHAT HE SAID: "Meh, 7pm until 7am that is the real tradition!!" (David Beaumont on the idea of a Friday night MCC blitz marathon) WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT: "It might be the real tradition, but buggered if Im actually going to play in." __________________ People who have nothing to hide post using their real names...

04-13-2011, 01:18 AM	#12 (permalink)
Lekko HBK Join Date: May 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,359 ICC Handle: Heartbreak-Kid FICS Handle: HeartBreakingKid	Urban: I 6-0'd Frank! what he meant to say: I was down a queen in 4 games, down a rook in 1 other and won the positions on time... I only managed to win the last one on position. __________________ Originally Posted by Iconoclast Girls attract boys. more girls playing chess = many more boys playing chess

04-13-2011, 02:25 AM	#13 (permalink)
Firegoat7 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Getting owned by White in the Dragon and trying to recover lost positions from shock paralysis OTB Posts: 2,044 ICC Handle: guest	Originally Posted by Grant Szuveges WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT: "It might be the real tradition, but buggered if Im actually going to play in." WHAT WE THINK OF WHAT THEY THINK WE THINK: "It really is THE tradition, but only for diehards like Richard Voon and Ellie Beranjia! Everyone else is a pretender!" __________________ "...What I meant? Dear Mr Ian Rout (ACF news publisher) could you please put Ozchessforum in the next news letter! There is no reason to hide this forum from the Australian chess public. What they meant? Sorry, No english!- Amir Karibasic

05-19-2011, 10:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
Grant Szuveges Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,003	WHAT HE SAID "Good Idea Grant. Will there be food?" (David Beaumont commenting on the Fitzroy Skittles) WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT 1. There was food at the Beaumaris Skittles - so are we going to continue the tradition? 2. I just had to say something as random as possible. 3. Can anyone else think of anything he may have meant by that??? __________________ People who have nothing to hide post using their real names... Last edited by Grant Szuveges : 05-19-2011 at 10:00 PM Reason: Forgot to put who the quote was from!

06-02-2011, 03:52 AM	#15 (permalink)
Grant Szuveges Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,003	Sorry Carl... It was your turn this time... WHAT HE SAID: "I wasn't entirely happy about the 2.5 score group, but haven't the time or energy to work out why, so we go with the SP pairings as promised at the tournament opening" (Carka Gorka aka Mowcop in the MCC Open thread when discussing the pairings as the arbiter) WHAT WE THINK HE MEANT: "Like almost everybody else in the world has also stated, the Dutch Pairing Rules are completely illogical and come up with some absolutely bizarre pairings based on anything but common sense. That said, I will be diplomatic about this so as to not start a debate about it on the chess forums..." __________________ People who have nothing to hide post using their real names...

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