Newbie

Just played my first ever live chess match.  30mins.  A draw.  Ran out of time.  What does  the time challenge: 5/2, 15/10 & 2/1 mean? 

First number is the starting amount of time (minutes), second is the time added per move (seconds).

Welcome.

5 minute game, 2 seconds added to clock each move

Rest follow same pattern.

15|10 . "15" Is the amount of time you have to make all your moves in "10" is bonus time, meaning that you get 10 seconds added to your clock every time you make a move.

Since you say you're new, I think this link will help you have a great live chess experience : http://support.chess.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/132/13/playing-live-chess-on-chesscom

wooo.  that's speedy stuff.  I wouldn't trust myself yet to guess right within a handful of heartbeats.  More practices / matches first.   thanks fellows.