this sucks

i hate that i cant play in a tournement beacause of my timeout ratio i have working so hard to get it down under 10% but i was unable to get to the computer so i lost again and my timeout ratio went up more and i have never been able to play in a tournement and its killing me.

is there any way someone could turn it down because i really REALLY want to play in a tournament

Make a new name.

Increasing the time limit for each move is what you should do. If you can't always get to your computer in time, the time limit is too short.

You're better off setting a time limit that will cover any away time from the computer. I understand your frustration but it is important to remember that your opponent is clearing time from their live to play you. Just increase your move time to a safe length.

I agree new name if it really is that important if not deak with it

It is really bad when someone enters a tournament and then times out their games.  It is especially bad if that player has won, say, two of their games in the tournament and then forfeits all of the rest due to time.  Those who lost their games to the eventual forfeiter are just really unlucky. 

If you have a tendency to be so busy, you can't at least make one move in your games, then don't enter a tournament or you could end up causing grief to the other participants in the tournament.

This is why I am not playing in these tournaments.  Although I work on computers all day, I just cannot always be sure to get on and make that move.

Personally, I can't wait to see if tournaments will be in LiveChess.

Become a premium member and you have time-out protection.  Instead of running out of time it will set you on vacation.

I feel your pain. I have been a member since May 08 and have yet to enjoy playing in my first tournament, much as I would like to.

I got screwed through no fault of my own. I was working out of town and staying with my sister to avoid a long commute. I gave my sister a computer and even set up a DSL account so she could enjoy it better. I use her computer when I visit to maintain it for her (antivirus, antispyware, defrag etc.) because she is unable to do so for herself. I also check my emails and of course play chess on Chess.com. I was playing two games and it was my move. I excitedly sat down to play after work and there was no Internet connection!! I asked my sister what was going on and she told me she had canceled her ISP Internet connection. I asked WHY ???????????  She told me, and this is rich, " I think someone is looking at me through it"  OMG she had even removed the modem and hid it under her bed in the other room!!!!!!

I still cannot participate in a tournament because my timeouts are 12% and you must have no more than 10% timeout ratio.(I only timed out those two games) But not for long........

I understand and agree with bullrock (above) but lament my luck.