Better Site: Playchess or ICC?

I think I've reached the end of what CC can usefully do for me chess-wise and have decided to play on one of the timed sites. I played on both in years past, but don't have a clear recollection that one was superior to the other. ICC is a bit more pricey at $69.95 while Playchess has a basic membership around $41 and a premium of $62. Cost isn't a huge factor, but hey I don't like paying more for nothing of significance.

So please any other players who have played on both could you give me your opinion? Thanks.

Originally posted by no1marauder
I think I've reached the end of what CC can usefully do for me chess-wise and have decided to play on one of the timed sites. I played on both in years past, but don't have a clear recollection that one was superior to the other. ICC is a bit more pricey at $69.95 while Playchess has a basic membership around $41 and a premium of $62. Cost isn't a huge f ...[text shortened]... So please any other players who have played on both could you give me your opinion? Thanks.

I think they are both very good. But a thing to think about is that ICC has a large American membership where Playchess is more European. So the peak login times are different. Though both will still have many hundreds online even in the quiet times.

If i had to choose, I'd go for ICC, simply because that's where the top Grandmasters are.

Personally i prefer playchess, but i only played on ICC very briefly. Depends what you're looking for. Have you tried Chesscube.com? Not GM's (that i'm aware of) but there are tournaments and the site functions really well. Check it out before you commit money to the others...

what do you need the GM's for?

Originally posted by Wilfriedva
what do you need the GM's for?

Well apart from the opportunity to play one... i enjoy watching them play. 🙂

what do you need the GM's for?

sounds like bitterness to me, god bless jealous weak chess players.

What's wrong with fics?

I've played on all 3 sites.

FICS is great value for money (..!) but sometime you have to wait a little time for a game.

Originally posted by LordOfTheChessboard
What's wrong with fics?

There's not enough players and lag times are sometimes significant.

Originally posted by no1marauder
There's not enough players and lag times are sometimes significant.

There's always chess.com
I like that better than ICC or playchess

Originally posted by utherpendragon
There's always chess.com
I like that better than ICC or playchess

Chess.com live chess area isn`t bad. It`s main drawback is lack of strong players (IM and GM level) to compare with ICC and Playchess.

Originally posted by Pacifique
Chess.com live chess area isn`t bad. It`s main drawback is lack of strong players (IM and GM level) to compare with ICC and Playchess.

many masters and IM's play in the live area, usually 3min blitz though.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
many masters and IM's play in the live area, usually 3min blitz though.

I know, but they are more in ICC and Playchess. And sometimes I have a problem to find blitz opponent rated over 2100 in chess.com.

Originally posted by Pacifique
I know, but they are more in ICC and Playchess. And sometimes I have a problem to find blitz opponent rated over 2100 in chess.com.

lucky you, sometimes i have a problem getting beat up by 1100 rated players. But I
have learned that I need time to calculate accurately, blitz simply does not facilitate
this, in fact, its really harmed my development to be honest, not that i would be much
better, but at least i would not play purely on instinct all the time, without attempting to
ascertain the possibilities in a position.

Originally posted by Pacifique
Chess.com live chess area isn`t bad. It`s main drawback is lack of strong players (IM and GM level) to compare with ICC and Playchess.

I'm really not that interested in playing IM and GM level players. I do prefer a larger pool as I really don't like blitz and try to get 30-60 minute games if I can. I seem to remember that being very difficult on FICS.