I also like the New Chess.com look. One item that I cannot figure, maybe someone knows: How to make the board bigger when playing live. Board gets plenty big for tactics and lessons but for live playing I cannot make it very large. The resize button does not work well. The photo for the new chess.com shows a laptop with the board 3/4 as large as the screen.
Is this possible??
I don't like that the front page now has everything thrown together. Articles, video's, news, blogs....
That really is annoying.
I don't like that the front page now has everything thrown together. Articles, video's, news, blogs....
That really is annoying.
It looks like the app does
I love the new things in general. I have one complaint which should be easy to fix: In Tactics Trainer, there are no symbols on the side of the board (a-file,b-file,c-file,..., 1st rank, 2nd rank etc); in some positions that really makes a difference knowing which way the board goes. Thanks.
I love the new things in general. I have one complaint which should be easy to fix: In Tactics Trainer, there are no symbols on the side of the board (a-file,b-file,c-file,..., 1st rank, 2nd rank etc); in some positions that really makes a difference knowing which way the board goes. Thanks.
White is always on the bottom.
It's a very busy weekend and I wasn't sure that I would have time to decide my moves in a couple of games, so I tried to put myself on vacation. I received a message that I could not go on vacation if it was my turn. I rushed these moves after a very long day.
It appears that v3 ushers in a radically new policy concerning vacations. I cannot say that I approve.
I like the new layout but for some reason since the new upgrade the site keeps crashing, It becomes unresponsive, I then have to shut it down and restart it. I never had this problem before. I hope it is something they are aware of and that it will be rectified.
I should add to my complaint above that one of my current opponents has 72 minutes remaining and has been on vacation several days. Might I conclude that I still get emergency timeout protection, but cannot voluntarily go on vacation when I need it to go fishing or watch the Stupor Bowl?
It's a very busy weekend and I wasn't sure that I would have time to decide my moves in a couple of games, so I tried to put myself on vacation. I received a message that I could not go on vacation if it was my turn. I rushed these moves after a very long day.
It appears that v3 ushers in a radically new policy concerning vacations. I cannot say that I approve.
It has always been this way, hasn't it? I know it was at least since 2010.
It's a very busy weekend and I wasn't sure that I would have time to decide my moves in a couple of games, so I tried to put myself on vacation. I received a message that I could not go on vacation if it was my turn. I rushed these moves after a very long day.
It appears that v3 ushers in a radically new policy concerning vacations. I cannot say that I approve.
It has always been this way, hasn't it? I know it was at least since 2010.
I have frequently gone on vacation when it was my move.
It's great that I can now see the board in the Chrome browser. Adapting to HTML5 standards is a big plus for the site. I'm sure there are bug to fix and things to tweek, but I want to say your doing good work.
V3 keeps crashing because they continue to fix bugs and improve it. That's why it isn't because it is BAD
Several options for creating new (daily-chess) games are missing in the new version of chess.com (features like filtering opponents depending on some stats, etc.). I understand that the new interface is simpler and cleaner; but simplifyling an interface by removing features seems cheap... I hope they will put back all the features of the old chess.com by the time the new interface becomes the only one.
But there are many features that aren't really used much. They base that off stats.
having trouble downloading completed games to notepad then fritz.it seems impossible to get the complete movelist unless I go to the old version.
But there are many features that aren't really used much. They base that off stats.
That features aren't used much is not such a good reason to me to remove them; moreover, "used much" by whom? Maybe I use some of these not-much-used features all the time and I paid a subscription because I liked those.
They of course don't care. If a feature is not used much, they can remove it safely because they are not going to loose money. But the fact that it makes sense economically, doesn't mean that it is right. Users who pay because they like "non-popular" features pay the same money as everybody else, and therefore they should be taken into account in the same way.
But there are many features that aren't really used much. They base that off stats.
That features aren't used much is not such a good reason to me to remove them; moreover, "used much" by whom? Maybe I use some of these not-much-used features all the time and I paid a subscription because I liked those.
They of course don't care. If a feature is not used much, they can remove it safely because they are not going to loose money. But the fact that it makes sense economically, doesn't mean that it is right. Users who pay because they like "non-popular" features pay the same money as everybody else, and therefore they should be taken into account in the same way.
But there are many features that aren't really used much. They base that off stats.
That features aren't used much is not such a good reason to me to remove them; moreover, "used much" by whom? Maybe I use some of these not-much-used features all the time and I paid a subscription because I liked those.
They of course don't care. If a feature is not used much, they can remove it safely because they are not going to loose money. But the fact that it makes sense economically, doesn't mean that it is right. Users who pay because they like "non-popular" features pay the same money as everybody else, and therefore they should be taken into account in the same way.
Stuff liek the chess wiki thing and the download part just clutter the site with wasted space which not many people actually end up using and getting anything out of. They just take the stats of what people use and dont use and the stuff they took down was the stuff hardly used
So, as many know chess.com is coming out with a new update. (To read more visit the official blog: http://www.chess.com/blog/webmaster/a-new-chesscom-is-coming-soon)
Try the new Chess.com! (Click here to try it)
Anyways, on the review. Initially when I logged in with the new chess.com my first reaction was "wow!". I did not believe how massive the change was. The look has been changed a lot.
Home Page:
The home page looks very well organized. It actually looks like the android app does when you log on. It has your ongoing games, tactics, and lessons all right there in an easy to see spot. This is very nice and looks much better than the current layout of the current games
Scroll down a little bit and find the notes just as they were and then a list of activity from people you follow. It is like it is currently but a thumbnail and preview is added which is rather nice, giving you the option to check out the items being posted.
On the right hand side, the groups you are in are nicely lined up from the time you last checked them. Much more helpful for people involved in many groups. Now we can finally see what we want to see! Other than that is looks rather normal.
Navigation Bar:
This has been upgraded big time. It is now easier to navigate the site without all the "useless junk in the way".
Here it is nice users can choose a time control right away
All the good places people go to learn are still listed so no major change there. Notice Analysis is in place of game editor which people didn't know existed because it was in the "more" drop down
It is nice here that they moved all these things into one menu and got rid of the "More" drop down. Now it is faster to find what you are looking for. The leader board function has also been added. The forum tab, however, is worthless since it still has its own drop down like it does now.
The one thing I dislike is the "more games" option. For one, I don't know how many people use it but I am assuming not many because when I tried it there was no one online and it took 40 minutes to find a match. Not relevant to chess.com either. I am suggesting get rid of that or see how many people actually use it from this site.
Notice also, that groups and teams have been changed to clubs. This is a much better thing to call them. Not all groups play so teams was not really fitting. It is between groups and clubs in my opinion but clubs would fit much better due to what most of them do on chess.com.
Here it is still looking nice. The log out button has been moved and the settings/ profile have been organized to be easier to navigate. Notice too, Archives are there. Now it will be simple to find recent games. There is also a nice Theme button (I hear themes will be big in the new update!)
Alerts:
Beautiful! All I can say! I love it! Now, I can click the x (appears on the right side of an alert) to dismiss it. I don't have to check the comments in order for it to get off my new comment list (thank you !!) It also sorts it by category like the old right-hand-side bar did. Now you can clear what you don't care about and have all of it in a more convenient place to be located. It even have a little subscript to alert you of how many notifications you have. Brilliant design! One of my favorite parts (as I participate in many things).
On the top there is now a faster way to get to ongoing games, messages, and settings. Along with that, a smaller search bar which does not take up as much space.
One last thing: Don't like it on the top? Move the bar to the left of the screen! (I don't like it like that, but hey, it'll be nice to have.)
Forums and Posts:
So many nice changes here! Nailed it!
First off, SPELL CHECK WORKS! It now spell checks forum posts like it would if you were posting a note. Maybe now people, mainly myself who makes many mistakes, will be able to post flawlessly.
Second, Forums can now be customized like news posts! If you are an admin of a group you know what this is like! You can now insert video, realizable pictures, different fonts, and alignment to make it look more professional. Also now featuring an undo and redo button (lifesavers!).
Emoji. Yes I said it. Emoji. New emoji have come out: Just to show a few. A whole drop down list is available full of them.
Other than this there is no other updates. I have to say, I feel like there should be a "save" button like in news posts... That might be a good idea to add (?). I don't want to lose my work and I know for a fact this will take me some time to finish typing... Other than that, great update on the forums/ posts!
BUG: Scroll will not scroll down using the arrow while making a forum post. The re size is in the way.
Live Chess
Oh my gosh has this changed dramatically...
The alert bar is still available in live chess AND updates when something new comes up! Now you can manage alerts while playing in live chess instead of refreshing the page to see what’s new. This will come in handy.
Introducing live chess960! Yes! Finally it has come! The chess 960 variant in live chess in addition to the turn base games. This should be huge as people become accustomed to this variant now.
Ever tired of the seeks? The new game menu? Well, it has been upgraded! Android users might recognize it and call it “app like” as it looks similar to what it looks like on the chess.com app.
This looks WAY nicer than the old live chess. I like it a lot better. What happened to the graph though? It is still there! One complaint however, it is a lot smaller and harder to tell the difference between rated and unrated. Also, the tournaments should go back to being trophies… otherwise, it just looks like another seek.
Also down below looks rather nice as well. Icons have replaced the worded tabs. It is now a better way to see archives and current games. The chat is very dull though. I think there should be a main chat room for everyone without the requirement to join a group. Otherwise the chat is dull and hardly active. It also gives people a better experience and can be monitored if needed.
Games
Very well designed. That’s the right way to describe it.
The analyze button is rather hidden. I did not know that it was there until I accidentally clicked it. It should probably open in a new window so people don’t get confused I would say (?)
Also the conditional moves button is rather hidden and should maybe say something or be more noticeable/ stand out more. The other tabs on the game all look very modern and nicely redone. Notice the bottom of the panel on the right there are different buttons… There is now a download game button (in PGN format) and a share game. This will be nice especially if people want to save their good, well played games for later analysis. Notice too how the resign and draw buttons are down there. That looks very nice and easier to find. The names being on the right as well, give the board more room and a nicer look. Now everything is in one place where you need it. Nice design.
The last part I liked is it tells you the opening. Now I actually know what variation I’m playing!
Chess.com home
The chess.com home page actually has been left alone and just changed looks wise. Everything is where it used to be (daily puzzle, log in, activity, etc.) with one big change (which I like) instead of the “I like chess.com reviews on the top which get old to look at, now there is a spot for the recent big news and trending articles.
One thing I found redundant. The amount of times social media is advertised on the home page… I counted 3. (one on the top, bottom, and one the follows down as you scroll) I think the one that follows the page is in the way unnecessary as it gets in the way and looks annoying, not to mention it is repetitive.
Vote Chess Bug
Bug that I think is a problem (only noticed it in 2 games): You can see what the other team is voting for… Now, I think this was fixed because I sent in a bug report and after that day I did not notice any other vote chess games doing it. So it looks like we are fine.
You can now download vote chess games which is nice. And in addition, you can now analyze the game like you can online games.
How do I quit/leave a game though? This is interesting. I cannot find a way to do so which might be a problem…
The archive of moves is no longer displayed when you load up the game now, instead it is showed at the bottom tab section where you would discuss moves. This is misplaced I think. People like to have the whole archive right where they can see it. I recommend moving it to make it easier. Otherwise I doubt anyone would ever click on the archive tab… Maybe for comments yes, but at least display a list of the past moves on the right panel where you can cast a vote.
Game Diagrams
Easier to use for sure! It is also nice how now there is no longer a page to choose the type and then one to enter moves… It is now all in the same window/page! Well designed. Puzzle can be selected by using the check box and FEN/PGN can be pasted in by clicking the paste button. Introducing new board themes and piece styles too! I like it!
Messages
I personally find this a problem. All messages have been grouped by contact (like email does) BUT when ChessCom bot messages you all the messages get put in the same place and it is hard to tell new from old. But hey, it now says "3 days to move" and not "3 dies to move" !
Take downs
Yes. Sadly some stuff will go and be no more. It is actually a good thing though! There are so many things on chess.com which people do not even use. This is from the article posted above:
“Yes. One of the goals of this project is to make Chess.com a leaner, more elegant site, with less old (and mostly unused) code to maintain as we move forward. So, with much deliberation and careful attention to our web-traffic analytics, we made some cuts: Photos, Chessopedia, Endless Quiz, Downloads, “Local” club & event directories, and Shop Online.
Theme customization isn’t going away, but it is dramatically simplified”
Not many people use downloads and it seemed rather pointless. Also, the Endless quiz became filled with junk, photos can be put in forums, Local events weren’t really used and hard to find, Shop online was interesting but come on, we have amazon. The chessopedia was somewhat useful though but not needed since there ARE forums and articles. These are being cut because no one uses them so, it’s all good.
Themes
New themes are available now (about 20 of them) with high res and quality display. They look very nice. Also you can have more than 1, mix and match and still upload your own. Unlike now, they will not be stored and saved for anyone to use (kind of a waste of space since most have 0 users).
All in all, V3 looks amazing and I cannot wait for it to come out as chess.com’s official look! It has some great exciting features and very few annoying ones. A lot of bugs have seemed to have been fixed. This is going to be a major upgrade for everyone! The one thing I and many others are still waiting for though is bug house!! If chess.com can pull that one off, that would be the only thing greater than this update! Anyways, please try the chess.com if you have not already (click the try the new chess.com link at the bottom of this page). I am looking forward to more improvements to the site and I hope V3 comes out officially soon as it should be a huge success!
Huh? Chessopedia is still there...
They must of recently re-added it, only showed up today...
Same bug as when you last made a change to the IOS app: You don't handle unrated challenges correctly. Sometimes the challenge becomes rated immediately, sometimes on the next game.
Is is not possible to honor what the user asks for? if I want to play unrated, allow me to do so!