Server response

I have noticed that during the time of day my pc seems slower as does the response time of my moves. I played three blitz tournements yesterday and the first one was terrible as I played during a time many in my time zone were online. I went 1 and 7. Later that evening I played again and the second time I was 7 and 2 and the competition every bit as good if not better. The third I went 8 and 1 (first). My opening and move time are the same. Does anyone else notice this or is it unique to my internet provider? I am getting old but this does not seem to effect my decision making or move time. Thanks to all I amagrandmother3.

Uh-huh. So when the ISP slows down your response times slow down do you mean you're still playing as fast as usual but your moves aren't getting input as quickly as at other times? It's very possible your ISP has one or more "rush hours" a day when traffic is higher than usual so everyone is getting slowed down.

Next time try describing your OS, browser and ISP. What's your download/upload speeds? Maybe you'd see an improvement if you upgraded to a faster connection. SuddenLink my ISP allows me to upgrade/downgrade anytime I want with pro-rated fees for the time I'm on different plans (instead of making me pay for a months service under one plan). If your ISP does likewise try using a faster connection.

http://blog.chess.com/NimzoRoy/diagnosing-and-fixing-internet-problems

MimzoRoy Thanks for the information. I did upgrade but have only one carrier to use and I am living in an area of Texas that is growing extremely fast. The local pc hospital helped with the upgrade but confirmed the server capacity gets overloaded and is slower. I think the players that are in the 1600 range and above have the faster more expensive computers and that gives them a big advantage. Same goes dor the day traders on Wall Street. They locate very near the NYSE and pick up a bit of time over the regular guy. How does this help. If you put in an order to buy 100 shares of ABC @ a limit of $10.00 or less they have the capacity to obtain the shares at say $99.98 because of a speed advantage and then fill you at your limit order at ten dollars a share making a very small profit but trade millions of shares a day and seldom lose money. I feel the same goes with chess as some players have better faster pcs and lesser server loads. My best time to play is between 11.00 P. M. and 1:30 A,M, Defraging the pc and a periodic virus cleaning help as virus protectors don't stop them all. I was talking to my grandson and we were watching the same football game on tv while talking. He commented the receiver dropped the ball and when he said that the passer was moving back threw and a few seconds later I saw the ball dropped. I think I am at the end of the line and just have to deak with it as I don't think there is another or better provider I have access to. Just have to move as fast as i can and take a few chances to get a few seconds ahead. Final question - Why does the opponents clock get time added to it a time or two during some games. I will have my opponent out of time and then 2 to 3 seconds is added to their clock. When their clock is run out it takes several seconds for the game to show being over. I love chess as it is a great game and a fantastic way for aging people to keep their mind sharp. Same goes for billiards as my brothers grew up playing a game called straight pool and taught me (only sister) and it gives the brain a real workout when you have about 30 balls run and one little mental lapse and you are sitting down. happy holidays to all.

I can't imagine why only your opponents clocks gain time are you playing a regular TL or one with increments which add time every move? If this problem persists bookmark the appropriate game(s)/page(s) and contact the staff directly via Help & Support.

Sounds like you got a bad connection. There is only one ISP where you live? I'd double-check this fact unless you already have I'm a very suspicious fellow.

I'm also unclear as to why you're apparently getting viruses routinely at least that's what you make it sound like. What AV program(s) do you use?

Just got one new AV and cleaned the pc. Only use this one for chess, email to friends that are known and TD Ameritrade stock valuations. IT gurus have advised me that a virus blocker is not 100% effective so I get a de bug every six months. I have watched the GM, IM bullet games and the time add back has happened to them to. Check carriers and I have the only option Comcast. I think chess.com is probably doing the very best with their limited cashflow and server capacity on a global basis must be rerouted to serve areas during peak demand period. Can you tell me what membership is best for a bullet lover that likes to play in numerous tournements and how to contact them with questions via email? Thanks again for your time and help. Seems like the biggest difference in bullet players is the big guns have a very high speed gaming computer and when I have one down with 5 seconds to go and am ahead by 1-3 seconds they can almost always run the clock out on me. Keep Well.

You're asking the wrong person anything about Live Chess in any form, I hardly ever play it. If you wanna try a Diamond membership for one month I'd recommend doing so, it's worth it IF you use chess mentor and watch videos on a steady basis. I like both features a lot.

There's a "Help & Support" forum you can post questions in, as well as a "Live Chess" forum. Click on "Forums" at the top of the page to see them and all other fourms.

Contact the staff directly via Help & Support at the bottom of the page for any questions otherwise unasnwered. See the link for comparing different primo plans:

http://www.chess.com/membership?c=meebobar

NimzoRoy Thank you for all your help, time and advice. I am going to contact them as I want some one to critique my game and suggest ways to improve my rating. I have experimented and now am about a 1275 to 1300 bullet player. I have beaten players up to 2020 but cannot do it on a consist basis. I started about a year ago and got up to 1000. I watched the games online and improved my opening and how to better get all my pieces working togather. My grandson showed me how to view some of the best players top games on You Tube and it helps. I mean the classic games the Fishers played that were recorded and a comentator goes over each move. When I play a open tournement I usually end up in the low end of the top third. Opens have players from 1000 to 2000 as anyone can participate. My weakness is the final kill as my age is catching up with me but the fantastic game of chess helps keep the mind sharper. I am at least making progress and would like to get to the 1600 level as at that point I should be able to play a respectable game against anyone and occasionally beat a 2000 ranked player. I have developed a new opening that aligns my peices for defense yet gets the offensive pieces out and in the battle. If I could get a very good bullet player to play against as a coach and let them tell me what I am doing wrong and how to modify my game it would help. I can give a 1400 a good game but do not win a majority of the games but have the capacity to beat them or lose by a second or two if no checkmate occurs. 

Thank you again for your help and i hope 2013 brings you much peace, health, good chess moves and time to just relax and enjoy the rest of your days on earth. iamgrandmother3 ( three grandkids and all are very good chess players ) as they got my late husbands mental toughness and the ability to never ever give up only work harder. Playing better players is the best way to improve as when I played competitive snooker and pool I always played the best I could find. At one time I could run about 70 balls in straight pool and have a break of 50 most nights in snooker, which is the hardest game to master in the world in my opinion. Thanks again and I hope we are agle to play a game or two sometime. One a final note what is your favorite chess game ie 2/1 bullet and what is your rating now relative to what it was prior to your taking some lessons online from a good teacher?

I never took any online lessons here from a teacher although I have used Tactics Trainer sporadically, and try to watch an average of one video a day and/or do some chess mentor lessons for an hr or 2 a wk.

I'm not into bullet chess, if you really wanna improve you gotta slow down and/or play some turn-based games. However, if you just want to stick to bullet that's OK too it's up to you.

Feel free to send me a message anytime I guess we could meet sometime for some speed chess but I think the only way I could handle bullet is with some sort of increment.

NimzoRoy I play turn based chess but it seems i get the slower players. I like bullet as it is fast, makes me try to think fast and allows me to play several people within a shorter period of time. I started turn based when I was young and got pretty good for my age. When you are celebrating yor 30th birthday for the 38th time next month you don't have lots of chess left in you. Also I have to take care of two little ones during the day as it seems Americans live to work while the rest of the world works to live. We have several mentally impaired people in this country when it comes to enjoying life. Keep Well

I'm 61 myself so we're not that far apart. It's nice "talking" to you and if you consider turn based chess there are fairly "fast" TLs ie 1 day or 2 day/move/

NimzoRoy

I like bullet as it forces you to think fast and keep your mind sharp to the extent posible. Math is my thing but grandkids, bullet chess and billiards are my favorites. I have not had the ability to travel much. I would appreciate yor telling me about Swaziland in terms of culture, geography and if chess is loved by many there and the favored sports. I live in Texas but its probably not what you think it is like if you watch any of the older western movies. It is big as you can drive from dawn till dust and never get accross the whole state. There is oil here but also thick forest, hill country with clear rivers and of course west Texas, which looks like coyote country. Its a beautiful state with tremendous opportunity for anyone who wants to come, work hard and get wealthy. No one cares were you came from or your religious preferences only your work ethic. Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the world and has the best medical facilities bar none. The energy industry is centered here and if we could get rid of all the morons in Washington the US could be energy indepent by 2025. Too many stupid and crooked politicians. We have our share or idiots here like any country. For some reason they wind up in politics and the average Americans is getting VERY mad with the whole bunch. If justice were served Texas would run out of rope before we rid the nation of the morons from the president on down. Granny from TEXAS

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