Only Chess
09 Jan 07
09 Jan 07
I played at Gameknot for a short while before coming here.
My intention was to play a few games for free and then subscribe if I enjoyed it. Within less than a week I received a message from the site administrator, it said something along the lines of:
Your security software is blocking our adverts. You have two choices:
1. Turn off your security software
2. Buy a subscription
There was a bit more padding to it than that but it came across as pushy and demanding, given how soon it arrived, so I chose option 3 - Leave.
Great customer service guys.
09 Jan 07
Originally posted by AlphaAlekhineI don't really think that's the case I have played there just over a year and subscibed for a year too, they have plenty highly ranked players and although I only got up to about 1850 there before crashing my rating and started to play with more of an otb style I would say there wasn't a HUGE difference in the ratings between the sites, it's very difficult to compare though because ratings are unique to the site. Maybe other players have established ratings on both sites could comment on this.
I've never played there, and this is second-hand information, but I've heard that you get more serious chess players here. Most of the people that play there seem to be recreational at best. MSN Chess is similar to this. Ridiculous rating system, for one.
09 Jan 07
Originally posted by MarinkatombI much prefer the RHP software, the forums there are nowhere near as good as RHP's, IMO the only thing in it's favour over RHP is the holiday postponement facility, but as we aren't going on foreign holidays for the forseeable future that isn't going to be a factor to me anymore in any case.
It's an ok site but it's organised badly (IMO) and the chess pieces you have to use SUCK!
09 Jan 07
Originally posted by stevetoddThread 59604
I much prefer the RHP software, the forums there are nowhere near as good as RHP's, IMO the only thing in it's favour over RHP is the holiday postponement facility, but as we aren't going on foreign holidays for the forseeable future that isn't going to be a factor to me anymore in any case.
You may be interested in the post from Russ here.
09 Jan 07
Originally posted by stevetoddJust my opinion, here is some pluses and minus (from my point of view) :
I don't really think that's the case I have played there just over a year and subscibed for a year too, they have plenty highly ranked players and although I only got up to about 1850 there before crashing my rating and started to play with more of an otb style I would say there wasn't a HUGE difference in the ratings between the sites, it's very difficult ...[text shortened]... the site. Maybe other players have established ratings on both sites could comment on this.
Players wise, it is about the same as here. You won't find much difference. The same for ratings, and that is all relative.
RHP Plus :- Russ and Co are very good at listening to the people here and hence RHP is constantly evolving. This in my mind is a big plus point.
RHP Plus :- Freedom of Speech which the forums allow. User participation is high.
RHP Plus :- You can send an in-game message and move at the same time. On GK you have to write the message, hit submit, move, then hit submit!
RHP Plus :- The clans here rock. Way more friendly
GK Plus :- You can download ALL your games in handy PGN format. This is absolutely crucial if you want to have your entire database in a single. For me it is the single most important thing lacking from RHP.
GK Plus :- And this is a personal one as James has pointed out..The boards look better.
GK Plus :- You can create your own tournaments, thematics etc, with your own timeframes etc
For me, GK is more condusive to serious play and RHP more to fun play.
I am sure you will get differing opinions. I would suggest subscribing to both as they are not expensive for what you get.
09 Jan 07
Originally posted by Ian68Does that mean hopscotch will now be leaving then (as he was advising you to do rather than canvas for the holiday postponement)?
Thread 59604
You may be interested in the post from Russ here.
09 Jan 07
Originally posted by JDK2Yeah I tend to agree with except that I prefer the boards/software here (but as you say that's very subjective). I forgot about the torny set up, yes that's a huge plus
Just my opinion, here is some pluses and minus (from my point of view) :
Players wise, it is about the same as here. You won't find much difference. The same for ratings, and that is all relative.
RHP Plus :- Russ and Co are very good at listening to the people here and hence RHP is constantly evolving. This in my mind is a big plus point.
RHP Plus :- Fr ...[text shortened]... ering opinions. I would suggest subscribing to both as they are not expensive for what you get.
09 Jan 07
1 edit
Originally posted by ivan2908GameKnot is a good quality site that is vastly overpriced. Its other major weaknesses are the ads (rarely chess related, and almost impossible not to block unless you have zero protection), and the heavy hand of the administrator when ad blocking is detected, or with respect to other matters. If you buy a membership the ads go away, of course.
What is gameknot? Is it good? How is it compared to rhp?
Their forums are hard to locate (except with google, which keeps the site in business).
I offer in-depth reviews and comparisons of several sites, including GK and RHP at http://www.angelfire.com/poetry/wulebgr/corr.htm
also http://www.angelfire.com/poetry/wulebgr/comp.htm