HI

 If someone plays 1 or 2 moves and then runs out of time or just doesn't play again why doesn't the other player get ratings points? Thanks

Its an easy way for people to artificially boost their rating. There are two likely scenarios:

1) You know the person and are having them play a few moves and then quite to boost your rating.

2) You don't know the person, but they get disconnected or leave after the first few moves. Ratings are supposed to represent one's relative playing strength, and winning by default because your opponent got disconnected doesn't have anything to do with your playing strength and is therefore the reason you are not given ratings points.

Thanks for the info Brains

Actually, it's just because any games ending before move 3 aren't rated. Whatever the reason, resignation, time-out, whatever.

I always found this extremely odd. The way it is now, you can avoid playing against any opening you aren't familiar with by quitting on turn 2.

Used to be any game of 3 moves (6 ply) or less did not affect ratings.

Now resignations always affect ratings but timeouts of 3 moves (6 ply) or less do not.

I think it's to prevent cheaters from exploiting the system too easily.