It may be just technical--Internet connection problems. This is more evident while playing poker on line. Or you're right about those chores, or maybe someone in the office, apprehensive about the boss finding out, or some other distraction.
offline moves

I work at a cafe, theres time between orders so i got time to hop onto chess.com to make a move...
And Im on and off while watching TV...

It's possible that they make a move, go check on something else on the internet (maybe even play more chess somewhere else) and then return a few minutes later to see if their game has updated.
I, personally, am likely the opposite - I tend to keep a tab of chess.com open almost constantly, but I'm not always actually looking at it. Thus, I appear to be online much more than I really am.

Aye, a lot of folk play at work. They might be happy to play some chess but the bossman might not share their enthusiasm. I only play at work :)

i always minimize the tab when the "boss" is creeping,i have a news site on back up! "i was just reading the news, did you hear about the guy who shot his foot off crazy huh?" "boss" turns and bam back to chess.com. it's a wonderful life!

rocky10 wrote:
i always minimize the tab when the "boss" is creeping,i have a news site on back up! "i was just reading the news, did you hear about the guy who shot his foot off crazy huh?" "boss" turns and bam back to chess.com. it's a wonderful life!
Yeah, it's a wonderful life - not so much for Mr foot shooter though :)
has anyone played games against people who make a move,then you make a move, then they go offline for 2-5 minutes come back make a move and do it all over again? i guess i find it odd. i don't see the purpose for it unless their wives or husbands are breathing down their neck to get off chess.com and do some house chores. so they play hit & run when the spouse has their back turned. i don't know!