It's time to axe classical chess!

Wait, what?

While the classical time control category is a fine idea in theory, I find it just doesn't work in practice: queue times are long, nobody has an accurate rating, and most people simply won't go above 15+10 or even (gasp!) 10+0.

Simply put, here is my (excellently visualized) proposition for what the front page should look like:

As you can see, I've added an ultrabullet queue: if there is one time control that benefits from this, it's ultrabullet.

Behind the "variants" button, you would find a separate tab for variant time controls, e.g. three Fischerandom time controls and some other variants in 3+2.

This is sort of off-topic so I won't go into it too much here, but I really think Lichess could (and should) make playing variants easier! I would absolutely play more Chess960 if it was conveniently searchable.

Why change the time controls?

So... what are some of the issues with the current list of time controls? As you may remember from above, my proposition is to remove both 30+0 and 30+20, and combine them into 30+10. Here are some of my reasons for thinking this might be a a good idea:

Insufficient playerbase

The vast majority of online chess is played in very short time controls. I appreciate that many people like slower chess or even play it exclusively — I personally prefer it, too! — but there just aren't enough players to support 15+10, 30+0, and 30+20 as front page options. Hence:

Queue times

Queue times are already bad in 15+10 for people higher up on the ladder: for 30+20, it's often almost impossible to find a game. This is a vicious circle familiar to many from other multiplayer games: the harder it is to find a game, the fewer people will push through the wait time. In short, don't split your playerbase unless you're sure the player numbers can support it.

What on earth is 30+0?

Honestly, I have no idea why this time control exists. What is the function of a game that could last up to an hour but end with either player flagging with a trivial win or draw on the board? Maybe this is entertaining to some, but I suspect it's not what most people who play longer games want. My working theory is, that most people play 30+0 primarily out of a lack of options.

If you're simply addicted to the thrill of time scrambles, Lichess already has various +0 time controls for you — where you will get to enjoy them much more often due to the lower starting time.

And, finally, 30+0 is actually fairly similar to 15+10. Getting down on the clock could be a death sentence (and humans are lazy) so most people don't use most of their time in 30+0 somewhat unlike in 15+10. Additionally, if you only have an hour for the game, a 15+10 would have to go for an absurd 90 moves to go over that limit.

Why remove the classical time control category?

Rating accuracy

Most people simply don't play enough classical games on Lichess to gain a representative rating, which makes queueing into a game a bit of a lottery: you might get someone your level, but more likely someone much weaker or stronger.

Many solve this issue by checking their opponent's rapid rating and aborting the game if they are obviously too strong or weak of an opponent, which makes finding a game even more tedious. If these games were considered rapid games, you would simply get paired with people roughly your own strength instead.

Barrier to entry

Gaining a representative rating takes time in any time control, but in classical it could take you upwards of ten hours. Simply put, you are far more likely to dip your toe into slower games if you can get a game straight away against someone roughly your own strength.

In conclusion...

• 30+0 and 30+20 should be condensed into just 30+10.
  • 30+0 is an awful time control.
  • It is incredibly difficult to find a game in 30+20.
  • Having three longer time controls (15+10, 30+0, 30+20) splits the playerbase in three for very little gain.
• The classical time control category should be removed.
  • Few people play enough games to get a representative rating.
  • People might play more long games if gaining a rating wasn't a chore.
• Add ultrabullet as a searchable time control!
  • There is only an arena running half of the time.
  • Short time controls suffer disproportionately from an awkward game-finding process.
• Add a separate tab for variant queues!

What do you think — should the front page remain as is, or should we put the classical time control category to the axe and condense time controls?

Thank you for reading! Leave a like if you agree, and join the conversation in the forum thread.
— Numerot