I don't see how chess has become more social. It's always been a very social game. You go to the chessclub, meet lots of interesting people, make friends. Tournaments are very social events too.
Playing online actually feels like the least social way of enjoying the game to me. I have no interest in chatting with random people, and most of the time someone tries to write something in chat it's an insult or accusation of cheating. Or just "gg", "nice tactic", etc.
I guess I can see that perspective yeah. Certainly there is no speaking during the game, since it's a game of concentration after all.
And top players might not do this, but most everyone else does: we discuss the games with the opponent after the game.
Club nights tend to be less formal; usually blitz will be played, banter and trashtalking during the game is common.
But yeah I guess it must look like we all hate eachother and never speak to eachother, from the outside. That's funny.
Playing online actually feels like the least social way of enjoying the game to me. I have no interest in chatting with random people, and most of the time someone tries to write something in chat it's an insult or accusation of cheating. Or just "gg", "nice tactic", etc.