I'm a total newbie and the site has me rated 1500. First of all, when is that going to fall? I seriously doubt I'm 1500. Second, what's the difference between casual and rated games? I've only played casual thus far and always against "anonymous" players.
When signing up, your rating starts at 1500.
Casual games don't affect your rating.
Rated games affect your rating.
Casual games don't affect your rating.
Rated games affect your rating.
When you first start playing, each game will dramatically change your rating, so you shouldn't have to play more than a couple of games to get to your true rating.
Thanks!
I was wondering about this myself. I'm still too scared to start though... Gotta pluck up the courage and just start losing I guess.
Best of luck.
@cheapshot
There is no shame in losing. In fact it's the only way to improve. The hardest part of becoming a better player is to learn how to deal with defeats without getting angry or frustrated. Play a lot, lose a lot, learn a lot. And someday your rating will follow your improvements.
And even if you can't get past a certain skill barrier, you will always find friendly people of equal strength here.
There is no shame in losing. In fact it's the only way to improve. The hardest part of becoming a better player is to learn how to deal with defeats without getting angry or frustrated. Play a lot, lose a lot, learn a lot. And someday your rating will follow your improvements.
And even if you can't get past a certain skill barrier, you will always find friendly people of equal strength here.
@scuffi, thanks for the kind words.
It's eeeeeeeever so frustrating though isn't it..?!
I think the chess community so far has been incredibly kind and helpful.
I took the plunge this morning and lost a couple of games. Heres to losing more and more, so I can finally start learning.
/cheers
It's eeeeeeeever so frustrating though isn't it..?!
I think the chess community so far has been incredibly kind and helpful.
I took the plunge this morning and lost a couple of games. Heres to losing more and more, so I can finally start learning.
/cheers
@cheapshot @mark17 for best results you should play people that have rating as close to yours as possible.
If you want free rating points let me know. I always seem to lose to people below 1600. LOL. Nah I only play casual with people below there. Also for those that are sub 1700ish on here let me know and I would be glad to offer free sessions of study and go over your games with you. I have a few people I do study lessons for and for 2 in particular they have improved around 75 points since we started a couple weeks ago. I pretty much only play casually now but sometimes Ill join the fun and play rated. But I like analysing over playing and studying over playing anyway. :)
PS when starting out it is probably best you do not take immideate lessons from someone around 2100. Sometimes they will not be able to explain what an 1800 can. What they say might be over your head and harder for them to comprehend. The best study tactic is to find someone higher rated than you by 100-500 points then work your way up. I will offer free studies to people 1100-1700 and even go over peoples games if they are rated 1800+. Sometimes a second set of eyes is all you need to find new ideas.
PS when starting out it is probably best you do not take immideate lessons from someone around 2100. Sometimes they will not be able to explain what an 1800 can. What they say might be over your head and harder for them to comprehend. The best study tactic is to find someone higher rated than you by 100-500 points then work your way up. I will offer free studies to people 1100-1700 and even go over peoples games if they are rated 1800+. Sometimes a second set of eyes is all you need to find new ideas.
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