So, every now and then, I like to go on live chess to practice new openings or defenses with a particular color.  In live chess, I recall being able to create games that would allow you to choose the time, and color.  I've noticed that the ability to do that no longer exists...can some tell me why???

I haven't heard of this? Anyone?

Because it was being abused, and that resulted in an inequitable situation for those that elected to send out random seeks.

Challenge a friend directly or play an unrated game and you can choose.

 When I click "New Game", the pop-up box appears:

It shows presets (time intervals), Intitial time, bonus time, min rating, max rating, rated or unrated.  That's it...nothing about the color choice, i.e. black, white, or random...like you do in Online Chess.

That's crazy...how can it be abused...especially now since you can only have two seeks at any one time???  That makes no sense.  If we're limited to only two seeks, then we should be allow to stipulate whatever color we want.

Not if your two seeks are always white.  It's a sensible restriction that ensures the playing field is level.

 Again, if the challenged is issued and the issuer wants white, then you don't accept that challenge if you don't want black...keep it moving. Now all people are doing is aborting the game because they either don't want to play a certain color, or they've been forced to play black "randomly" 4 times in a row!!!

And, even when the game is unrated, you still can't choose the color. 

Yes, and their next seek should also result in the colour they're trying to avoid -- this is actually evidence of the type of abuse that was occurring -- so long as the system actively works to balance out the inequity the aborts should stop because they are ineffective.

this debate has happened already!

 Then kindly explain to me why the same restriction doesn't exist in "Online Chess" where you can choose the color in advance options?  It's inconsistant.  When you start a new game there, you can select all white.  If I'm searching for an opponent, "I" make the determiniation if I'm ok with playing black for a 2 day game etc.  If I'm not, I keep it moving or set up my own seek that meets MY critria.  The "abuse" you speak of is called stipulations, and NO ONE is obliged to accept a "seek" in online chess or a "challenge" in live chess if the stipulations don't appeal to them.

simply aborting the game trades one "abuse' for another, and in my opinion makes it worse.

 Point me to the forum, I must've missed it.

It should be implemented there as well.  No argument here.

 LOLOL We'll agree to disagree.

Impressive that you managed to miss ALL of the discussions. Here's the first few that show up when search the forums for COLOR (or COLOUR) ...

what happen to that one artfizz 'Random play makes me go 'thank you, bye'  ? been deleted ?

I cocked up the link. Try it now.

Wait -- that was about chess?

It was to avoid discrimination

This is a chess website. In the final analysis, it's all about chess.

I get aborted when I play 1.b3. Dunno why.