Chess.com intentionally makes you lose until you buy membership

Agreed, that doesn't make any sense...

If anything is trying to push (not force!!) you to pay for a membership, it's the limitations of the free accounts: only 5 puzzles a day, limited games analysis, limited access to bots etc... And I'm very fine with it.

I do not see Chess.com playing with the connection and lag time to make you loose... Because even if that happened, how would they make sure players would go and THINK "ho, that's probaly because I'm only using the free features, if I start paying, that will go away"...

When I phrase it, I find it ridiculous, some sort of "Despicable me" scenario.

If you get a paying account, then you get unlimited analysis, access to all bots, more puzzles etc... Not better connection lol

IDK what to say skill issue???

I agree with original poster - I have seen when on a winning streak, very strange and potentially manipulative behavior by the platform OR mysterious invisible forces at work - your pick.

1) seconds magically disappear from my clock - I even have screen recording of one such instance

2) pieces drag and refuse to move easily - almost as though there is a digital weighting on the pieces

3) strange behavior usually happens in the last 7 to 10 seconds of a game I'm winning.

4) Sometimes - it feels like an algorithm wants me to lose in a sequence, and other algorithm/s click in when I'm on a winning streak.

No proof, except for the screen-shot-video of the vanishing seconds.

I usually play lightning and so every second matters, even the sound of the moves affect concentration - I dont care if the game is manipulated or not, I play for fun and if Chess.com wants to grow based on such schemes, let it do so. I may switch someday, but who cares, its just a game...

I agree with op

"lichess.com"

I would recommend that you go to a psychiatrist, your brain is malfunctioning, mate.

I've never given chess.com a penny.

Rated 2351.