I'm not being a "tryhard," I'm trying to win.

EDIT: To clarify, this is more about ranked play than normal play.

In chess, would you intentionally throw away your queen? Or even intentionally throw away pawns without trying to trade pieces?

I don't know about you, but I find chess incredibly fun. I play with my dad all the time (and often lose, since he was competitive in college). However, I play with the intent of winning. I may try new strategies, but my goal is victory. Losing is a time where I can analyze my faults so I can try to win the next game. If I didn't care at all about winning, or didn't want to try to win, I wouldn't pick a game that is 100% a battle of the wits.

League is no different. I want to win. I like losing and analyzing my faults. It's enlightening. But during my games, my goal is victory. Yes, it's "just a game" and yes, the point is to "have fun." And I do have fun. And I do realize it's a game. But the entire, sole purpose of this game is a battle. Just like chess. It's a competition.

There is no such thing as a "tryhard." There is no shame in flashing for a kill.

And in a ranked game, if I'm stomping you 15/5 as Swain, I'm not going to "go easy" on you, I'm going to do my damnedest to stomp you 25/5 so you have no hope in recovering.

No, I'm not trying to be mean. No, I'm not being a so-called "tryhard." But in chess, people don't say "Here, take my queen. I'm winning, so you should definitely be able to catch up if I give you this." It's no different here.

And here's the bonus: If you're losing a game, at that point, that is when you are learning more than any other time in League. Are you falling behind in lane? This time truly truly tests how well you know your champion. If you don't know them well, losing certainly will help you learn a ton faster than if all you do is roflstomp the competition.

How do you get better at chess? Playing against, and losing to, better players. How do you get better at tennis? Playing against, and losing to, better players. How do you get better at League? Playing against, and losing to, better players.

They aren't being "tryhards." They're trying to win. Just like you. And here's the kicker:

Playing to win does not mean you are not playing to have fun.

Yes, it's a game. It's designed to be fun. It IS fun. But part of the fun is trying your hardest, doing your best, with the hopes that you can outsmart the enemy and win. Losing is just as fun, and spawns from the same purpose. It's all a matter of perspective.

EDIT: To clarify so it doesn't sound so abrasive, I'm not saying there aren't times where stronger players work with weaker players to teach them. Sometimes, yes, you'll start a game of chess with a handicap (maybe no runes or masteries, or other things) so they can get a feel for how to handle you. But in a ranked game, that's the time where people truly want to test their skills in an official manner and play to win.