I was temporarily banned from playing for aborting too many games. The same guy with a provisional/non-established rating (with a "?" after his rating) took my game 2-3 times, and I aborted each time because I don't want to play against someone with a relatively unknown rating. The message said to use the filters to avoid having to abort games--but there is no way to restrict the game search to players with established ratings!
The game was casual. I could see why it should be impossible to avoid playing unestablished/new players when the game is rated--that's how these players will get a reliable rating--but when the game is casual, there's no harm in wanting to play against someone with an already established rating.
Patrizsche, +
What is the big deal if it is a casual game as you say. I wouldn't care If I was paired with a GM or a complete novice, or anything in between. I think it's right that you should get a temp ban for aborting those type of games too often. You're not entitled to choose your opponent if he/she falls withing the rating range of your open challenge. You can make direct challenges though, maybe that will suit your needs?
Imagine being someone new to the site how frustrating it would be if everyone aborted your games because you're still provisional? they'd get a negative impression of the site and maybe not come back. this simply isn't fair. A win or loss vs a provisional player does not affect your rating as much so it's really not a big deal, and in casual it doesn't matter at all. It's nice to play people significantly better/worse than you every once in a while anyway.
I feel that you should aleayd have the option of aborting a game before it starts if you don't want to play against that opponent. I don't play on
chess.com because you can't abort games.
Should have the option*
I started a thread about this already... it'd be nice to be able to select only those players with an established rating. It means you don't have to face GMs with new accounts :D
that's an irrational fear. You should be glad to play a GM if it happens to be the case you do get paired with one. even if you have almost zero chance of winning it'd be a learning experience. The only place I see this being an issue is in tournament play, but those who try to abuse the system just to win a virtual award will be found out and dealt with accordingly.
There should be a way to "kick" a player out who enters a game room and doesn't move, or leaves. I play casual games and play white normally. Another player comes in, the green light comes on, I move, and he doesn't. I wait and wait. Still, no move. So, I abort. If that happens too often, I get temporarily banned for aborting too many games. That is wrong. There should be some consequence for the player who comes in, and then leaves without aborting. Please work on this.
I think the ability to block provisional ratings would be harmful overall by discouraging new players from the site.
