let's just for sake of argument say you COULD play chess worth a crap, in fact you are an international grandmaster! Would you have fun playing in a tournament for those ranked under 800?
How much am I charging for my appearence?

I'm guessing probably not, because of how you answered the football analogy, but it is a different way of saying the same thing.
I think we mostly agree here in the context of the overall team balance in the arena. I have no problem have crushing local numerical superiority if the enemy fails to pull their head out and up sufficient defence.
In fact, I think the difference between you and I may be as simple as your analogy - you seem to think of this game as a competition where the 'opposition' deserves to be crushed, and hopefully in a manner that would discourage them from ever having the temerity to challenge you again
Nope. It isn't about challenging me again. Its about doing the same stupid things again that got them beat. If they are man enough, they'll take their beating without typing a word of complaint on the bbs or chan200, and instead put their energies on figuring out how to get even. The absolute most you should ever say, even after the most humiliating, crushing beatdown is "Good shooting" or "Good game." Anything more than that, and you're just a woman whining.
Let me ask you a different question, related to your chess analogy. Lets say you aren't playing in a tournament, just a friendly series of games against someone that you are clearly better than. Do you ever get to the point where you'd give up pieces (play a piece or two down) just so the other player might have more fun, and to make the game more challenging? Or would you just have more fun winning crushing victory after victory - and perhaps telling your opponent to 'quit crying' if he suggested you play a knight down next game?
Well, I'm going to want to separate the context. Practicing and training vs competition.
If I am "practicing" or "training" with someone I may set up various scenarios specifically for training purposes. I might let him set pieces back so we can play back thru a part of the game without having to start completely over. It is clear and stated that we are in training mode.
When we start to play a real game, all bets are off and I am 100% effort, no mercy, no holding back.
When I was a kid I played a lot of tennis. I was fairly good. I had a friend who was a couple of years older. One time when we were playing I realized he had basically given me a game to keep the match going. It took some pressing before he admitted it. I took great pains to explain to him how unacceptable that was. I don't think I ever played him again. Training is one thing. Competition is another and I expect my opponent to give 110%. Whether its chess, checkers, tennis, or AH, I expect my opponents to play like their life depended on it. Nor would I slack off one bit for any possible reason. If you beat me, rest assured, YOU BEAT ME!
To me, INTENSITY, is what is fun.
Now don't get the idea I go around crushing people. Usually I'm the one getting crushed, but the principle is the same, and besides...I can dream can't I?

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Wab