Can someone please tell me how to only play rated games as my settings, though its set to 'Rated Only', keeps giving me 'non-rated' games.  This is so annoying especially when u beat a higher rated player - thats alot of points missed that could have me up to a 1300 player instead of a 1100!!

I contacted a member of staff and they advised me to seek the 'DETAILS TAB' of which I can not locate - only 'settings' seems to give me this option.  Iam probably just being 'blind' or something but I would appreciate some help people... thanks all and have a good time on here!

It all depends whether you're asking about turn-based ('online chess') or LiveChess.

In turn-based-chess: No, there doesn't seem to be a setting to protect you from inadvertently accepting unrated games. (Even a pop-up: "Are you sure you want to play unrated?" would be useful.)

In LiveChess, YES! Click on SEEK FILTER (at the bottom of the Challenges tab pane). Tick RATED ONLY, and click SAVE.

(Incidentally, there is a small "u" next to unrated games in the TIME column.)

(See also ratings34)

screenshot: details tab

In turn-based chess, the Details tab is right beside the board.

If you click on the Details tab, then on Show rating adjustment, you will see precisely how many points you stand to gain or lose for a win, loss or draw. You can do this in every (rated) game. These numbers change dynamically throughout the game - depending on the results you and your opponents are getting in other games.

IAM referring to LIVE CHESS and even when I select rated games option from 'CREATE NEW GAME' tab it will find me a rated game but then when thats finished I will click on an opponent which may or may not be a rated game!.....  

....I know there has to be a comma in there somewhere lol ! Thanks!

Are you using the SEEK FILTER (see post #2)?