Premium-only brother website

As you wrote, alois, if they are unable to get input from non-pm's, too bad for them.

I rarely cry, except after reading your posts.

This is the biggest problem on chess.com in my opinion.

Often when a Forum topic gets interesting, it is invaded by the 'nonsense' to which you refer and the chess element being discussed gets sidelined.

I'm sure it deters many good chess players from posting and sharing their knowledge, which is detrimental to the site as a whole.

It is a good idea.

Agreed!

What a load of bull. The "good stuff" is there. Use your mouse to pass by the posts that are irrelevant when there is serious discussion.

What gets sidelined are the numerous threads about Fischer, b v. k, etc.

I would like to see a Premium Forum category for premium users and titled players only. Only they can post there, but everyone can read what they post.

It would be a category, just like the 'general', 'openings', 'endgames' etc categories we have now.

Again, it would go as well as a lead zeppellin. I would understand if there were a forum for titled players, or, those above a certain level. There has been much discussion about the current championship. Most of us have no idea why either player played the moves they have.

But, including premium is what the discussion has been about. Anyone can purchase a membership at any time. And post whatever they want, at any time. Can a pm here respond to questions better than a freeloader?-(hold on a minute, I have to click on this ad).

The titled player idea is a damn good one, imo. I would include anyone above a threshold, say, 2000, or 2100. Let the titled players decide. A good place for exceptional players to discuss aspects of the game that most of us hacks don't understand.

Exactly, and well I do think adding premium users would be good because:

- they actually pay money to play chess, chances are that they take the game seriously. I also think chances are smaller that they will troll, because a paid account just shows that you are more serious.

- its an extra feature for paying members. If you want to chat/ask the big'uns then become a paying member :) (good for chess.com)

But perhaps only limit it to diamond members.

Paying to play is perhaps an indication of commitment to chess - but it may also be an indication of financial ability which has nothing to do with seriousness.  There are, for example, many young players, or older retired players, or those out of work who are quite strong, who may not be able to afford the diamond fee.

Premium membership here costs very little, really. about 30 cents a day by my reckoning.