Looking to spark fun and easy conversations in your chess community? These This or That templates make it simple to engage members of all activity levels. Get ready for playful debates and quick interactions that bring everyone to the board.
Plan your content calendar and auto-post to Skool, Circle, or Mighty Networks
This or That prompts are powerful because they lower the barrier to participation. Members are not required to craft long replies or reveal personal details, just make a simple choice. This casual approach encourages even shy or new members to join in, boosting overall engagement.
The playful format also taps into people’s natural love for sharing opinions and taking sides. By keeping the topics light and chess-focused, you create a safe, inclusive space for members to express themselves and connect over shared interests. These quick polls can spark friendly discussion, lighthearted rivalry, and community bonding.
Blitz or classical chess - which do you prefer?
💡 Example: "Blitz or classical chess - which do you prefer?"
White pieces or black pieces - which would you rather start with?
💡 Example: "White pieces or black pieces - which would you rather start with?"
Play online or over-the-board? Let us know your pick!
💡 Example: "Play online or over-the-board? Let us know your pick!"
Openings or endgames - what do you enjoy studying more?
💡 Example: "Openings or endgames - what do you enjoy studying more?"
Tactics or strategy - which is more fun for you?
💡 Example: "Tactics or strategy - which is more fun for you?"
Play against humans or computers? Tell us your favorite opponent.
💡 Example: "Play against humans or computers? Tell us your favorite opponent."
Kingside or queenside castling - what do you usually choose?
💡 Example: "Kingside or queenside castling - what do you usually choose?"
Checkmate with a queen or a rook - which feels better?
💡 Example: "Checkmate with a queen or a rook - which feels better?"
Play morning or night - when do you enjoy chess most?
💡 Example: "Play morning or night - when do you enjoy chess most?"
Use a physical board or digital board - what is your go-to?
💡 Example: "Use a physical board or digital board - what is your go-to?"
Do you prefer puzzles or full games for practice?
💡 Example: "Do you prefer puzzles or full games for practice?"
Play against friends or strangers - what is more exciting?
💡 Example: "Play against friends or strangers - what is more exciting?"
Queen's Gambit or Sicilian Defense - which opening do you like more?
💡 Example: "Queen's Gambit or Sicilian Defense - which opening do you like more?"
Winning with a clever trap or a long endgame - which is more satisfying?
💡 Example: "Winning with a clever trap or a long endgame - which is more satisfying?"
Do you prefer playing as a beginner or challenging experts?
💡 Example: "Do you prefer playing as a beginner or challenging experts?"
Play in tournaments or casual games - what's your style?
💡 Example: "Play in tournaments or casual games - what's your style?"
Bishop or knight - which piece do you like more?
💡 Example: "Bishop or knight - which piece do you like more?"
Checkmate or stalemate - which is more dramatic?
💡 Example: "Checkmate or stalemate - which is more dramatic?"
Do you like annotating games or just watching?
💡 Example: "Do you like annotating games or just watching?"
Read chess books or watch video lessons - what's your learning style?
💡 Example: "Read chess books or watch video lessons - what's your learning style?"
Play with a timer or without? Which do you prefer?
💡 Example: "Play with a timer or without? Which do you prefer?"
Do you like themed tournaments or open ones?
💡 Example: "Do you like themed tournaments or open ones?"
Win by resignation or checkmate - which feels better?
💡 Example: "Win by resignation or checkmate - which feels better?"
Do you prefer to attack or defend?
💡 Example: "Do you prefer to attack or defend?"
Play with commentary or silent focus?
💡 Example: "Play with commentary or silent focus?"
Train with apps or traditional books?
💡 Example: "Train with apps or traditional books?"
Do you prefer rapid or bullet games?
💡 Example: "Do you prefer rapid or bullet games?"
Play at home or in a club? Where do you feel most comfortable?
💡 Example: "Play at home or in a club? Where do you feel most comfortable?"
Do you like to play for fun or to improve your rating?
💡 Example: "Do you like to play for fun or to improve your rating?"
Watch live games or replays? Which do you enjoy more?
💡 Example: "Watch live games or replays? Which do you enjoy more?"
Do you prefer classic wood pieces or modern designs?
💡 Example: "Do you prefer classic wood pieces or modern designs?"
Join online communities or meet in person?
💡 Example: "Join online communities or meet in person?"
Do you play on Lichess or Chess.com more?
💡 Example: "Do you play on Lichess or Chess.com more?"
Set up a trap or play it safe? What is your vibe?
💡 Example: "Set up a trap or play it safe? What is your vibe?"
Do you prefer learning from wins or losses?
💡 Example: "Do you prefer learning from wins or losses?"
Play with music on or total silence?
💡 Example: "Play with music on or total silence?"
Do you prefer rapid-fire games or deep thinking sessions?
💡 Example: "Do you prefer rapid-fire games or deep thinking sessions?"
Watch grandmaster games or play your own?
💡 Example: "Watch grandmaster games or play your own?"
Do you like chess memes or serious analysis?
💡 Example: "Do you like chess memes or serious analysis?"
Would you rather win fast or win after a long battle?
💡 Example: "Would you rather win fast or win after a long battle?"
Do you prefer playing against older or younger players?
💡 Example: "Do you prefer playing against older or younger players?"
To use these templates, simply copy and paste them into your community platform as posts or stories. Rotate them in regularly to maintain variety and keep engagement fresh. For extra interaction, invite members to explain their choices or tag a friend. Use images or emojis to make posts stand out in feeds, and respond to comments to encourage ongoing conversation.
These templates are designed for all platforms. For forums and Facebook groups, post as regular discussion threads. On Discord or Slack, use them as chat prompts or pin them for daily interaction. For Instagram or Facebook Stories, use the poll or question sticker. On Twitter, adapt into polls for quick engagement.
To engage all skill levels, alternate between accessible choices—like 'Play with white pieces or black pieces?'—and deeper chess concepts, such as 'Fianchetto bishop or classical development?' This ensures both newcomers and experienced players find the prompts relevant and stimulating.
Including both opening and endgame scenarios can be highly effective, as each appeals to different aspects of chess study. Openings like 'Sicilian Defense vs. French Defense' spark lively debates, while endgame choices like 'King and pawn vs. rook and pawn' encourage deeper strategy discussions. Rotate between these to maintain diverse interest.
Absolutely! Addressing chess rules or etiquette through 'This or That' prompts can generate thoughtful discussion and awareness around tournament practices. For example, comparing 'Strict touch-move enforcement or lenient approach?' can help members share experiences and insights, enriching the community's knowledge.
Use prompts like 'Morphy’s attacking style or Capablanca’s endgame technique?' or 'Fischer vs. Spassky 1972 Game 6 or Carlsen vs. Anand 2014 Game 2?' to connect members with chess history and legends. These references spark nostalgia and debate among enthusiasts.
Maintain variety by rotating themes: mix opening vs. middlegame vs. endgame, tactics vs. strategy, classic vs. modern play, and even chess technology (online vs. over-the-board play). Use a content calendar to track topics covered, ensuring fresh and engaging prompts.
Yes! Prompts like 'Trust Stockfish’s suggested move or follow your own plan?' encourage members to debate the value of engine analysis versus personal calculation, a hot topic in chess circles. This can lead to richer discussions about computer-assisted preparation and human creativity.
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