lichess.org
Donate

Takebacks

I normally do not allow takebacks but sometimes I do.
My question is why they are allowed, there are no takebacks in chess, I suppose it is a not too important question but thought I would ask, many a time I would have liked to get a takeback on my move in OTB USCF games.
I allow takeback only when opponent tries to castle but just move the king 1 house.
Takebacks for obvious mouseslips that wouldn't have happened irl.
Dunno why lot's of people hate them, one of their best uses is offering takeback to someone who makes blunder and ruins this way some cool game. Of course, rule here is same as with giving time to your opponent: do this only when you loose or at least positions are equal.
Chess is a fight between humans. Blunders will come from anybody and it is our duty to exploit them in order to win. Giving takebacks is also unethical, as a person needs to learn to accept their mistakes if they truly want to get better at this game.
I don't give the option of takebacks because I don't want to be in the business of trying to figure out what mistakes were due to calculation or strategy, and what errors were due to a mouseslip or misclick. Of course I don't get any either, so it likely evens out. I had one great game ruined by my misclick but it's really my problem if I make an error like that. Same goes for my opponent.
If to look on chess as win or loose, than anything, even win on time when you under checkmate next move is cool and good.
But other side is if you won, you played with weaker enemy, if you loose you played with stronger. Win or loose don't actually change anything. Nothing special.
Other point of view - chess is about process, about finding surprising moves, about strategic planning, etc etc, things which can be called art, feelings when you see classic GM games. Even if it's your enemy who paints the board.
This way, blunders, wins, time don't mean too much. Easy win via blunder is simply trashed time.
#4 I hate when that happens in bullet, if you offer a takeback your opponent will waste his/her time accepting, and it will also waste your time.

This topic has been archived and can no longer be replied to.