So it seems those of us in steerage can no longer contribute to forums launched by premium members? 

Specifically the one about chess.com e-mail no more. I am able to read the thread but not post, and I am not blocked by the OP so who knows. Site bug or intentional "feature" I don't know.

Well yes, it seems chess.com is no longer offering free e-mail to users. With no notice to us I  should add. Rather annoying if you were using your chess.com e-mail for anything important.

I also note the "status" field is no longer available with the new site GUI downgrade. Which is odd because I thought chess.com wanted to be more like Facebook, not less.

Oh and has anyone else noticed...the overabundance of bright white space in the new site format is very similar to the equally annoying new gmail format? 

Hmmm. 

Their e-mail service put a chess.com ad at the bottom of every email you sent from it, even the premium members who have paid to be ad free.

Posting in the Premuium Member forum has always been restricted to Premium members.

http://www.chess.com/membership.html?c=navbar  Private Forums

Loss of email: Appears to be fact.

Update status here  http://www.chess.com/home/echess_settings.html  "Message for opponents:"