Speaking of rationality, you wrote <as long as we don't have lunatics running around with thousands people on their ignore list>. Is it safe to conclude that those with very long ignore lists are already tending towards lunacy? And that those with empty ignore lists (eg, me, last time I checked) are maximally sane?

Sorry. Here's my real point. Some people - on various sides of various arguments, some nasty, almost all pointless and trivial - have taken to using this page as an outlet. You've made it quite clear that this is inappropriate.

In an ideal world, posts of that kind wouldn't get made at all. Yet we have to accept that they do. I suspect that the Kibitzers Cafe was originally intended as an outlet for such stuff, but it isn't working. Probably because the Kib Cafe seems to have degenerated into a kind of terminal idiocy (except at certain times, such as during the annual quiz). As a result, few people bother to read it regularly, I think. And these troublesome kibitzers want to be read, especially by admins.

Would it be possible to accommodate them by setting up a forum that admins are guaranteed to read? That would free this forum for its original user-friendly purpose.

Some of these people seem sufficiently deluded as to think admins will take their side in quarrels, see the righteousness of their cause, etc. It's not fair to you to have to continually point out that they're wrong.

*Some* sort of letting-off-steam forum just might work. With strict adherence to the usual guidelines, and no promise of admin arbitration, or the like. Just as a way of getting the more persistently deluded and quarrelsome types out of here, and into a nice padded cell.

Thanks.

<chessgames.com>: We are negotiating the next one right now. It will probably be an Akobian rematch unless that gets postponed to accommodate his schedule.>

Analysis of GM Akobian games at the recent Tradewise Chess Festival in Gibraltar you may find here

But the fact that the complaint was not reported to the proper authority (the court or DAO) gives no cause for concern. At first glance, the ripoff site can be nothing more that what its name implies---a site that gathers and exhibits complaints so that adversely affected party will be enjoined to offer it compensation in exchange for its deletion- a rip-off!

But you are proposing to expel AJ because of his actions - i.e. following the civil procedure in the prosecution of a felony. But how else would you have imagined AJ to have done but by filing a complaint as he did?

The poster (allegedly AJ), was seeking redress for grievance for an alleged wrong done to him by fellow kibitzers. Unless it can be proven that the complaint does not amount to a probable cause but tainted with half truths and fabricated lies and/or laden with malice, it should be allowed to proceed and its resolution pursued and enabled.

This was already done. Water under the bridge.

I say let bygones be bygones. Let AJ be. He is the victim here and has committed no wrongdoing by making the report..forced to hung unto the lawful remedies made available to him. Why should be be faulted and sent unto forced exile?

If you trace back the history of this page, it will show you a track record of countless pleas and appeals AJ has made upon CG to address his plight. He had chosen to keep this an internal affair--due to his deference to his hosts..but then he can only hold for so many years...his grip gave off as his last ounce of energy left him .

In conclusion, not sure what to do, if anything at all.>>

Suggestion. :) I think this problem could be significantly alleviated by changing the location of the list preference setting option. If, instead of having to go all the way into one's permanent preferences to choose short list or long list, the choice could be made on the homepage itself - say, set the default to short list, with a toggle to load the long one instead, on a case-by-case basis - I think that would put an end to most list-related complaints altogether.

What I meant is that he has removed himself, by taking a site-related grievance to another 'authority'. To do so - with possible adverse effects on CG's business - and to keep using CG is not consistent with civilized or ethical standards of behaviour. In my opinion.

For the sake of brevity and also to avoid a quick descent into the abyss of arguing over members, I removed a number of messages. However their content is not irrelevant so let me summarize:

voratco posted <Look at what I have found> and showed a link to "BadBusinessBureau" aka "The Ripoff Report", a site where people can file public complaints about other businesses. This is the link:

http://www.badbusinessbureau.com/in...

On this page LMAJ complains bitterly about Chessgames and about stalking incident(s) that the claims took place.

Many users felt it necessary to scold AJ for this action, Pyke called him <deceptive and two-faced>, twinlark said <Say it ain't so>, Jim Bartle said <that badbusiness report is just too funny>, and DomDaniel went so far as to say <I don't see how he can remain>.

Then--of all people--our friend <matebay> voiced his opinion of the situation, in direct offense to my dictum to stay out of this support forum. As promised, we won't be hearing from him for a while.

Now, about AJ's "review" of Chessgames, here's how we really feel:

It is his right to voice his grievances on the Ripoff Report site. He seems to be making two separate charges: (1) An actual alleged stalking event that took place outside of Chessgames. (2) That Chessgames itself is "unfit", "allows links to porn", permits "homosexual jokes", and so forth.

The first charge is a serious allegation, and if presented with a subpoena we would cooperate with the police in any way they request.

I don't think i'll be posting *too* much given recent events, but i need an account in case, so i'm letting you know..

Hope you don't mind, but this way no-one can say i'm a "sockpuppet"..

I won't be posting in this forum after this (hopefully!), and i won't be coming here as regular...

I have every reason to ban you on sight, but I'll demonstrate the patience of Job and let you stay until we receive a legitimate complaint (Whistle) about you.

And im sure you will have whistles blown at some point, but its not like im looking for trouble.. I have a reputation here now which is unfortunate, but so do others! If you read my emails maybe you'll understand a little better..

Sometimes i dont know if im paranoid, or this is personal, or you think im just being sarcastic with you (as admittedly i do have one of them sense of humors)!!

In a previous post, the admns said this: <Finally, if <nanobrain> is out there reading this, please discharge your attorney at once as his services are hardly needed here, and simply email chess@chessgames.com as we request. We're not mad at you and we don't bite.> chessgames.com chessforum