Is a Premium membership worth it?

Hello,

I'm just wanted to get feedback as to whether or not a Premium membreship is worth it. I'm interested in improving my game and having fun with chess.

For those of you who have purchased a premium account, did it meet your expecations?

Yes, it has met and exceeded my expectations.

There are different premium  membership packages, depends what you want.  If you want to find faster live games with more opponents, premium membership is worth it. Right now I have free membership, takes a while to find a random opponent, and most of the time it is with the same opponent I had previously. Premium would give you more variety.

How does premium membership vs. non-paying membership "filter" your opponents? You play with whoever is in your range settings whom also has ratings preferances that match yours. That sounds like nonsense that you wouldn't be allowed to play a person who is a paying member...

I've only been playing live chess on here.

I'm interested in checking out the instructional videos, chess mentor and game analysis. Who of you utilizes those and what hav eyou thought about them?

I had a "trial" diomond account automatically given to me, but by the time I realized it I hadn't gotten a chance to explore.

Yes.  On the other hand there is no more magic in the chess.com study materials than anything else.  Convenience and efficiency are good things to have but without hard work...

Thank you. Would you mind elaborating on which features you use and what you like about them?

Bear in mind I am not [yet] a paying member, but from all the feedback I have heard, people that are interested in seriously improving their game seem to all love the benefits of premium accounts. Maybe you should buy a month of membership and give it a try? Not like it really costs much, so what's the harm?

I think they filter it by the type of membership. Quite the coincidence I would find the same opponent by random that I played against before considering there are thousands of members on this site? I could be wrong.

Diamond would be the best, no restrictions on the videos.

The Chess Mentor section mostly.

I like that they are little bite sized pieces to be used as I can get to them.

I also like the study plans, how they are broken up into Beginner and Intermediate.

I like the tactics trainer but I use it mostly in untimed mode.

i think platinum is best value

I think cyed gave a very good answer.

If it is just playing then no.

Try adjusting your + and - ratings filter. I've played people twice in a row as well, but because they were the only one currently available to play in my range preferance.

There's no such thing as filtering seeks based on your membership status. You can't participate in live tournaments or dont have analysis features, though.

Me neither, but there are many, many, many steps between where I'm at now and being a GM. I turn 40 the day after tomorrow and I'm extremely busy with work, so if I ever reach Expert I would consider that epic.

I need to find a chess club in my area. 99% of my games are 2D.

Yes!

well, you are asking here so I guess people have answered mostly yes.

Now, I will be honest, it depends. 1) In the use you are gonna give it, cause I know many premium that almost do not login here. Sure, this is different that a case in which someone spends all day using the tools here 2) depends on your economical possibilities

all the best

I would definitely say that it is. You have unlimited or at least a wide variety of different tactics, lessons, and deep game analysis at your disposal. However, I have beaten many individuals with a diamond membership, with ratings in the mid 1500's. So it begs the question, why are those individuals getting beat by people like me. My peak rating was 1482( without membership) and I was dominating people in the 1500's with membership. Even when I was in the late 1300's(which I am currently) I still on occasion beat individuals with diamond memberships. I personally believe its  based on the individual. If I had a membership to chess. com, I would definitely sky rocket my rating to about 1700 in 2 months. I know this because I would watch chess videos  and solve different tactics every day last year and my chess rating has gone from 800 to the 1400's.

why are you reviving an almosy 4.5 yr old thread?