1. Use Start New Game to find a random opponent, optionally setting Time Per Move, and restricting the opponent rating. By default, games are rated.
If you would like more control over the settings, use Start New Game under Play Chess (on Online Chess Settings). Click on Show more advanced options to do just that.
These control are for Correspondence Chess. For OTB-style chess ("LiveChess"), click on PLAY -> Live Chess, and take it from there.
2. Challenge someone you've met in the forums, by clicking on their name, and clicking on Challenge to play.
3. Use the FIND PLAYER search to locate someone with a particular rating.
http://www.chess.com/echess/players.html
How do I go about playing a rated game.My provisional rating is way too high.Thanks