Gotta watch those "Automatic Denouncements". *thinks maybe this is not the right board for this*

I'm absolutely certain of it! Surely it's "Already Done".

That was mean Midnight, what about "Application Denied"... sorry AD, couldn't help myself. :-)

I seem to remember something about not being able to start new tournaments, wondering if that applies???

big bang!!!... I was hoping for inter-fellowship matches, not the end of the universe as we know it!!!

Then, in addition to free brains, I promise to let everyone win every game!!!!!
*bows to the thunderous cheers from the masses*

If I'm elected top administrator I will give free brains to everyone!!! Remember, vote for R*L election day.

It is true a stronger player has little to gain and much to lose by playing a much lower rated opponent. But there are two ways this applies. Some may want to protect their rating, but others want to protect their time! In chess I seek out players of similar strength to increase the odds of an intersting game.

oh great, now we got a wolf who talks to himself roaming the woods... :-)

As I am a paying member who only plays chess, can we please add dice to the game so that I too may have an unfair advantage! Oooops, off to the feature request board... :-)

I have have noticed that since becoming a paid member, my chess opponents are forced to lose the exchange more often! Coincidence? I think not!! :-)

thanks harley and BBW

BBW: your second answer fits better as any player with correct bkr etc... is welcome. Just strange that the continue button is in the area that says no requirements, and, as I said, there is no way to tell if the requirements that were designated were retained.
In short, I take your answer to mean the requirements are retained even though I continue from the non-specific area.

harley: That's my point, the second area, where you set BKR range, pawn-king etc., has no continue button.

After designating specifics in boxed area 2, do you select continue in boxed area 1? There appears way to tell if specifics are retained.

but it already is...

The interview with zetes has pleased the masses greatly.

The masses demand the zetes interview! (or did I miss it.)

So 35 US dollars gets a 1 yr. Rook membership? (keep the change).

As Caissus said, we don't know why. NHB preferred not to elaborate other than saying "due to circumstances he was not to happy about". Any further speculation would be just that. He will be missed!!

I use archived games in links regularly.

harley / NHB : Gripping, collosal, action packed, twists at every turn with a surprise ending. A must see!

I like friends-on-line. I put opponents on the list and see at a glance when they are there. After game, I remove them. (doesn't mean I don't like them anymore!)

out of over 500 questions submitted, harley cannot find one she wants to answer...LOL (kidder)

Shoulda got the money up front.

This all seems like overkill. Why not just hide ratings of a given game type for inactive players until they become active again?

Fencer's idea sounds like a good solution! "Hidden" BKR of inactive player's again becomes "Displayed" BKR when, and if, they become active again.

Those who have many games going in which both players move fairly often would, of course, have no complaints. However, those who legitimately play few games in which both players move infrequently would be adversly effected. Some games are set at 30 days per move!

The general discussion is revolving around the issue of accuracy in ratings, standings, and averages. In the end people who use Fritz to mess with things may be more of a problem than multiple i.d.'s, bottom feeders, and those who sit on their standings when they get unrealistically high.

I would not want to feel compelled to finish a game per month to protect BKR. This may also hinder players of many game types. Maybe "hiding" inactive players is a good idea. Ratings boosters are probably not worth worrying about unless flagrant and disruptive. Just beat them and live with the few extra points you probably didn't deserve. I would like to think most of us, as Noholdsbarred stated, simply use BKR as a means of engaging opponents of a desired skill level. Someone who only plays lower rated opponents should have that option, if they are that afraid of equal opposition they are probably not THAT good and will drop many points every time they occasionally lose.

Of the chess players with an established BKR, #125, out of approximately 250 total, is rated at 1675. This seems a little too high to be an accurate average and a greater sample number will probably prove this out. Your 1500 estimate may be close to an accurate average although I believe FIDE is about 1300. Maybe Brainking is a little more forgiving.

Steve R : I would think that most players fall into the 1300's which would account for the provisional BKR. There are, for instance, approximately 950 rated chess players with player #475 rated at about 1400.

All of this multiple account business may be much to do about nothing. Abusers, suffering from split personality or not, will be delt with in standard fashion. Fencer has already addressed this issue. Back to the games!

linjon : Fencer is no less human than anyone else. I will not speak for him, but obviously he knows the status quo here, so what's the point of these complaints? It is interesting to note that the vast majority of those who say they will not become a paying member because of access don't consider it a big enough problem to quit coming here.

Having a paid membership is not just about service. This is a new site, and this is the best site. That is why we keep coming here despite the growing pains. Having a paid membership is a way of contributing to the development of this site, a way to make it better and support solutions. However, I believe the most important reason, IMHO, is to show our appreciation, and respect, to Fencer for all he has done and continues to do. He, and Liquid, devote a great deal of energy to this site and any real returns are still future speculation. I could have gotten along just fine without paying. I paid to show my gratitude. It's not much money for what we DO get.

MadMonkey should have no problem with the feet, whereas I am left to fumble with the one mouse, claws and all.

Thanks again BBW! BTW, while I'm here, does anyone know a good way to follow the thread of a message on these boards, or do you just have to fish around?