Hey guys.  have not played chess in years really.  Never was GREAT but i was pretty good i guess.  I have played, i dont know, 5 or 6 games so far.  Also I have lost all but two.  Those two were draws that i was lucky to get.  having a very tough time "seeing the board".

I guess the best advice is for me to just play play and play?  I am killing my ranking right now I am sure but I guess its an accurate score of what kind of a player I am right now also, huh?  Plus due to these losses, it will be harder to get my score up eventually when I do start playing better wont it? 

Any advice?

play live while you're getting your stroke back...  who really cares about live?  do the tutoring stuff and puzzles.  keep playing

Is the live ranking any different from your overall ranking?  I know you have different rankings for long game or a blitz game.

live raking stands alone.  as does online.  i find online games are the most fulfilling.  that's maybe just me though.  pay for the membership and get the mentoring and tutoring perks.

Yes, it is different from your online ranking.

Also, there is no "overall" ranking - you have two seperate ratings for each. 

If you like more fast paced games, you should try to play more live chess, and if you like more slow, but tactical games without many blunders, you should try Online Chess.

That may seem obvious, but you don't know how many people come in here asking why people on Online Chess play so slowly.

Note: Also, welcome to Chess.com!

Yea i can imagine alot of people ask that, as I did myself.  Normally I like a 15-20 minute time limit each.  I am right now in the process of playing 5 online games at the same time.  Finally I learned how to work it.  Four of the people are actually responding pretty quick.  I like this also, being I can take my time if need be.  Never did like the blitz games, haha.

About joining, I might possibly do it.  I still have several hours to sign up for the trial week.  Site seems good with plenty of players so far.  Might be worth signing up for.  Thx for all the input!