Premium Disparity in Level Playing Field

We did, however it was also clear from that thread that any benefit that might be obtained in an individual game over a non-premium opponent was negligible if present at all.  Most of the additional benefits that premium members get are in the form of access to ancillary training materials and tools.

The bottom line is that any non-premium members who are really upset by this perceived inequity always have the option to only play other non-premium members to avoid it altogether.

The air begins to clear Thanks to all for comments. The problem I encountered was that person on auto protect was actually logging in every day but leaving moves  unmade day after day. Perhaps he was looking at Forum contents, foto albums, or some other interest but he was actually "present" as opposed to "vacated" almost every day sometimes more than once on same day ,yet no move was made in my case for more than 14 days and that was only after my draw offer to  help solve whatever problem existed to cause such inaction.Approximately 15 other people  he engaged with will recognise what I have stated. A problem  remains to be dealt with.

 Yes, why not!

Xqsme, it sounds to me like you aren't completely clear on the auto-timeout protection feature. When this is activated, it is your vacation time that counts down. There is no 'premium protection'. This is hardly an advantage over free players, as there is a limit to how long you can be away for.

The air begins to clear. Thanks for all comments. The problem I encountered was that person put on automatic "vacation" was actually logging in frequently yet evidently just looking at page of the games awaiting  attention and just going away again. he could have been looking at Forums or foto albums or whatever but he was " present " frequently, often more than once on same day and not therefore  fully or strictly speaking "on vacation". About 15 other

people on same page will recognise what I have said.There is still a problem in these circumstances.

Xqsme, what's the problem? He can't do that forever... eventually, he will be forced to move. He only has a finite amount of stall. Sometimes I log in, and perhaps play half my games... if I'm feeling tired, maybe even none of them! It depends what I feel like on the day.

Just be patient.

It's a virtue.

The problem seems to be in how we humans perceive time - not something that chess.com can easily fix.

In a 14-day-per-move game, even if the opponent has moved daily for the initial part of the game, if she then decides to take her full 14 days for each move, we have no contractural grounds for complaint.

Even if he moves on every other board but not ours, we still have no contractural grounds for complaint.

If she goes on vacation continually, she's entitled to do that.

You only have two options:

1. develop patience

2. avoid - in the future - opponents whose sense of timing you have taken a dislike to.

To avoid such players from the outset, you would need the availability of extra metrics - such as TheGrobe has proposed.

Within tournaments, there is a specific issue that you cannot choose your opponents. In that case, choose your tournaments carefully that do have the time controls you would like. Even tournaments would probably benefit from being able to use additional time filters (such as TheGrobe has proposed).

My last word on this one ( HIGHLY UNLIKELY !)Yes I did say about 14 days but it was nearer 21 or more ! I. E. AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN SUCCESSION DELAYED ON A 7 DAY AGREEMENT.... but I have not kept strict notes     Come on Guys !       Thanks anyway.

Yes, come on guys! We're overlooking one key factor: xqsme is the wrong side of 60. If a game takes too long, he may lose on time. :)

Now its coming out artfizz ! Money talks - higher premium get longer vacation time ... Hmmm...

 "Money doesn't talk any more - it goes without saying."

Most members are probably aware that money buys things, but for those who are not, these are the different levels of membership you can buy at chess.com ... (the full list of benefits is much longer than this extract suggests)

And for my Friend NYTIK - You know and now I know but does the computer know ! I'm wondering .

Yes,  statement undeniably correct ! Well lets not forget its a game !

The arguement is poor because the principle is unsound.

Well I think it has emerged that site policy is debateable at the least.

These are the features that premium members can buy - or buy more of.

Most are them are clearly either Training Aids, give easier access to chess.com, or are simply fun to have.

Having extra vacation time doesn't help you win games - so it's hard to see how it could be viewed as unfair. Equally, having vacation mode switched on for you is merely a convenience.

The only feature about which it could be argued there is 'unfairness' is Game Explorer - as premium members have greater access than non-premium members - and it is used during the game.

Premium features on chess.com are no more - and no less - unfair than life itself.

If one player can access more than 3 moves per day from his mobile phone and the other cannot, would you that consider that unfair?

This thread illustrates why I actually prefer to play against premium members: they are more mature and less whiny. The people complaining on this thread remind me of the people who complain about Apple: "The iPhone sucks! I can't believe it's so popular! Waa!" Fine, so don't buy one, why do you have to get in my face about it? If you really think having a premium membership is unfair... don't play against premium members. Or, pay $3.99 per month for auto-timeout protection, it's not going to break the bank. And, while we're at it, is it really so hard to login once every three days to make sure you don't lose?

Premium membership can't be unfair because nobody is forced to play these allegedly "unfair" games. That's why Apple is cut some slack: nobody is forced to use an iPhone, but for a long time Windows was basically your only choice. It's the choice that matters, not the actual product. Let's not forget that there are only six dozen other websites out there that you could be using, instead of sitting here complaining.

Believe it or not, premium members are not part of a conspiracy to spend money on vacation time just to make the free members wait. Not only would that be a stupid waste of money, but we are all here to play chess, not play the waiting game.

This brings us back to why I like playing premium members better: since they're spending money on it, they're going to take the game much more seriously, move more often, act more mature about it, etc. When I set up my games, I make sure to look for people with low timeout rates, quick move rates, and premium membership. In my experience, a free member is much more likely to screw you over by moving once every 2d 23h 59m than a paying member, since they have nothing to lose.

Finally, Chess.com is a business and they are out to make money, and how are they going to do that if they don't provide services for the people who are paying money?

The bottom line is, quit your whining :-)

Unfortunately for your argument, all but one of the contributors to this thread ARE premium members - and the non-premium member was talking sense!

Not too sure who is considered to be whining- the person who introduced this subject (me) does hold a modest premium- this can be seen from little badge beside the name, and funnily enough joined both to support  and also "to put my money where my  mouth is".This enables me to speak my mind in comfort, and I could also point out that additional motivation exists in the standing invitation from management to suggest possible improvements for the site.