How Chess.com can become the internet leader for slow time control games
Let's summarize:
1) Every titled player in the world earned the honor by playing games averaging over 5 hours in length.
2) Playing long games on the internet is great practice for real in-person events.
3) Online chess servers do run automated tournaments, but usually for quick time controls. No other chess server in the world offers what I suggest below. It would be another feather in chess.com's cap and further proof they are the world's best interent chess server.
4) The problem with slow time controls and automated tournaments is you run into time zone problems.
The solution to making automated tournaments for slow time controls is simple. Let's look at what we have in place now:
1) You may place a customized seek in Live chess and hope it's accepted.
2) You may join the Dan Heisman Learning Center group with about 4,700 members in less than 2 years here:
http://www.chess.com/groups/join?id=15640
By the way, Dan is one of the leading chess instructors in the world, has authored many books, and has a chess.com TV show every other Friday.
You will receive a welcome message from the group adminstrator how to get started in tournaments. you will be arranging games with other players at times convenient to you both.
My World Standard Time Control 365 days per year group is another option. We have over 3,200 members in just over 10 months. Initially, I began with 5 gobal start times in different world regions, Western and Eastern USA, Great Britian, India, and Australia. That got a little confusing arranging the games from those entering in advance. Now, if you want a game, just post a seek and advertise on our group wall. You get to play when you're wanting a game.
http://www.chess.com/groups/join?id=21340
Dan's and my groups are growing, but it's slow and steady. Chess.com can reach the entire member base if it would run automatic slow tournaments.
There are two methods to do this:
1) Have 1 round tournaments at a time control of 90 30 several times per day. 90 30 is a good time control. It matches up to what you find in big money events, and gives you plenty of time to think.
2) Run several monthly tournaments with one round per week on a given day. This similar to my world standard time control group. you no longer have to drive to your nearest chess club. The tricky but solvable part is to do what ICC does. Example, any of their special "Pear" or Saturday Morning Standard events, you enter in advance and are paired if you're online. If you aren't here, you don't get a game! Chess.com just needs a bot to do this. ICC has one, so it's a doable venture. No need to notify you'll miss a game, and the annoying no-show forfeits are at a bare minimum...ie: disconnection.
I offered something like this to the STC Bunch and ICC in 2011. They didn't want it. Chess.com can take this suggestion and make it a resounding success. Dan Heisman's group has proven there is a demand for long games. you learn playing them and going over them afterward.
Dan and I support each other and how we are helping improve your chess game. If you aren't already a member of my free video lessons group, you may join it here, over 7,200 strong in less than 2 years!
http://www.chess.com/groups/join?id=14246
I have a simple to follow program in my video lesson 001 that has helped countless players improve their game.
Please post a reply if you support my idea for chess.com to adopt automated long time control events.
Thanks for your time.
