Hello,

My timeoute percentage over the last 90 days is currently 14%.  This is because I timed out on all games in a 1 move/day tournament over the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. because I did not have internet access.

My last timeout was November 27, 2010.  I have completed approximately 70 games since then with no timeouts.  My average time per move is 1 hour and 46 minutes.  Unfortunately I still cannot join any tournaments because they all require less than 10% timeout rate.   I think this is unfair because I have shown that I move fast (1 hr 46 mins per move) and I have completed 70 games without timing out since my last timeout.  Can I be granted an excpetion and allowed to join a tournament?

You've only got about a month to wait. Also, the other option is to start your own tournament, then you can set that rule yourself.

Thanks guys, I will try to find a tournament without the timeout restriction.  Most of them have the restriction but it is not listed on the Tournament Home page... it only shows up as a warning after trying to enter.

You've shown that you move fast. You've also shown that a little blip in your schedule, like a weekend holiday, can make you timeout in tons of games. Imagine the disruption to a tournament that would cause. I think with your track record and Valentine's day coming up, I'd keep you out of my tournament too.

This coming from a guy with 25% timeouts!  And a vacation time abuser... playing live chess while correspondence chess is on vacation.

And not asking to join any tournaments. Because I'm well aware that right now I don't have time for turn based chess. I tried to get my games down to zero, but I kept advancing in the tournaments I was in. So, having only played a couple of games in the last 90 days, and still forgetting to move in one of them once, I wouldn't let me in a tournament either!

I think it's a pretty consistent take on the situation.

Thanks for your input, but my question was "Can I be granted an excpetion and allowed to join a tournament?".  I'll take that as a no.

See here  http://www.chess.com/tournaments/help.html#create

"How do I create a tournament? Must have no more than a 15% timeout ratio."

Create you own tournament. Click on "Show more advanced options »". Change the Max Timeout % setting to 15% or more.

Good info thanks Tad!

The rule is a pain in the ass when trying to play from here in Malawi where internet connection is far from consistent due to power cuts. The rule could be changed to benefit those of us in the developing world!!!

Let's check the popularity of this 100% timeout ratio tournament.

Blame it on the Internet. Tournament has started. Registration closed.

i have not lost a game on timeout since last four or five months,but still my ratio is 30%...i am not able to understand the concept as yet,chess.com is also not responding to my querry , does the timeout ratio increases even if you don't loose on timeout.......