Handicapping systems - levelling the playing field

Sort:
Avatar of rooperi

Instead of regular takebacks, here's a cool variation:

Once per game the weaker player can force the stronger player to take back a move, and move something else.

I reckon this can overcome a 300 point rating difference, the weak player gets  some serious tactical opportunities if used correctly.

Avatar of Chessgod123

Some of these handicaps listed are just strange and would really alter the game of Chess. Yet it seems no-one has suggested one of the simplest and easiest-to-introduce forms: separate time controls (with the strong player getting less time and the weak one getting more time). I think this should be an option; draw odds would make little difference as even a difference of 100 points on this side means that the result will likely be win/loss. Therefore, I think the handicaps should be separate time controls, and then material handicaps (pawn, bishop, knight, rook, possibly Queen).

Avatar of KoreanJew
I was really surprised that we can’t give time odds in unrated challenges(wanted to play a friend with time odds). Also sorry if bumping dead threads is looked down upon around here(on other forums members will often complain that you didn’t use the search engine when making a new thread)... the takeback feature and extra 15 seconds are pretty cool features, very surprised they aren’t used here. Love chess.com anyways but those things would make it better
Avatar of bong711

I agree lower rated players should be allowed limited take backs. >200, 1 TB; >300, 2 TB and 3 TB for > 400.