what decides a rating increase or decrease after a match on this site?

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Mommedb

also, is your opponent's rating considered?

baddogno

Not only is your opponent's rating considered, but it's accuracy as well.  The site uses the Glicko rating system.  I took the liberty of doing a Search Forums for Glicko RD (rating deviation).  I'm sure others can explain it better than I would.  Oh, if you're handy with calculus and such, the exact formula can be found with a Google search.

http://www.chess.com/forum/search?keyword=Glicko+RD

r_k_ting

Glicko is just algebra, no calculus involved.

(I am compelled to make one smug comment related to mathematics every day. My apologies.)