iPhone/iPod over-pinging?

I can't seem to find anything about notification under settings - although I swear I remember seeing it when I first installed it. I suppose I should first check for an updated version before I drive myself crazy looking for it. The closest thing I do see under settings is "move alert sound", but that's turned off.
Just downloaded the chess app for iPod touch - and it seems to drain the battery in a few days without use. Previously it would go weeks provided I didn't really use it. Could be coincidence, but I wonder if pinging the server to check for move alerts is draining it excessively? Is there a way to turn off notifications so that it still works as intended but only when actively loaded? Any help would be appreciated - thanks!