04 Dec 05
I've been playing on FICS for a few days to test that internet chess server as compared to ICC. For pure playing purposes there seems to be not much difference. I dowloaded the BabasChess interface, which I would say is a little better than the ICC. Getting a game on FICS seems to be faster. I usually hit "seek" for a 2/12 game, nothing out of the usual. Somebody else can chime in on their opinion but I'm leaning toward FICS, which, as it is free, seems to be the more desirable. I've been playing on ICC for years, like it, but, as they say, money is money.
04 Dec 05
Originally posted by buddy2I played on ICC for more than five years and gave it up when I started playing on FICS. I think the quality and quantity of players on ICC still would be worth the price if I didn't also have enough ChessBase software to play on the playchess server. I play on FICS every day, but don't take the games very seriously.
I've been playing on FICS for a few days to test that internet chess server as compared to ICC. For pure playing purposes there seems to be not much difference. I dowloaded the BabasChess interface, which I would say is a little better than the ICC. Getting a game on FICS seems to be faster. I usually hit "seek" for a 2/12 game, nothing out of the usua ...[text shortened]... more desirable. I've been playing on ICC for years, like it, but, as they say, money is money.
I'm increasingly suspicious that many folks on FICS have found ways to cheat (I've noticed a lot of players whose play improves at the very moment their lag increases, for example). ICC has a better system for reporting suspicions of cheating, and, I suspect, a more aggressive program of investigation.
04 Dec 05
Yea, that's a point I didn't bring up. I've heard that FICS is rampant with cheaters, though i don't know for sure. I've also heard that ICC has an ongoing program to rout out cheaters, which is to their credit. Playchess.com also advertises that they find and punish cheaters. In the dozen or so games I've played on FICS, I've noticed weird fluctuations in playing strength, even within one game. I don't know what's happening, maybe they're drinking or smoking dope as they play, I don't know what's going on the other end. I don't take it seriously either, tho I do get depressed when I'm blown away five in a row. Who doesn't? Well, if it isn't costing you anything, you don't mind the bizarre as much.
04 Dec 05
Originally posted by buddy2I been playing on Fics the last year, and I only play on FICS and RHP now days, Its free, and I like the babachess interface, And from I seen, they do a good job eliminating cheaters. And I like the players there, although they are all a little weird, but isnt all chess players?
I've been playing on FICS for a few days to test that internet chess server as compared to ICC. For pure playing purposes there seems to be not much difference. I dowloaded the BabasChess interface, which I would say is a little better than the ICC. Getting a game on FICS seems to be faster. I usually hit "seek" for a 2/12 game, nothing out of the usua ...[text shortened]... more desirable. I've been playing on ICC for years, like it, but, as they say, money is money.
04 Dec 05
Originally posted by buddy2You get what you pay for. Regardless of what you think of the interface, ICC definitely attracts stronger players.
I've been playing on FICS for a few days to test that internet chess server as compared to ICC. For pure playing purposes there seems to be not much difference. I dowloaded the BabasChess interface, which I would say is a little better than the ICC. Getting a game on FICS seems to be faster. I usually hit "seek" for a 2/12 game, nothing out of the usua ...[text shortened]... more desirable. I've been playing on ICC for years, like it, but, as they say, money is money.
04 Dec 05
Originally posted by buddy2playchess has, in my opinion, nicer outfit and information (flag, ratings, name, etc.) about players can be seen easily right away. also chat, training options and tournaments are superior to fics..
Why is Playchess superior, Jesuh? You didn't mention any reasons. Also, if playing strength is what you want in FICS, you can adjust your requests to only receive people, say, over 1500. Or you can just go on the graph and challenge whomever you want. Is this not so?
04 Dec 05
Originally posted by JusuhI agree that playchess beats FICS hands down, but not when it comes to chat. Nearly every site facilitates chat better than playchess (but that's one thing I like about it). During blitz, the moves are the only conversation I want.
playchess has, in my opinion, nicer outfit and information (flag, ratings, name, etc.) about players can be seen easily right away. also chat, training options and tournaments are superior to fics..
Playchess has a playing environment that is far superior to ICC. However, ICC still has more players, and generally stronger players than any of the others.
04 Dec 05
1 edit
Originally posted by buddy2I play timed games of 30-90 minutes at FICS and analyze all of them afterwards using Fritz. I've played 46 and none show any signs of engine use. Playchess is probably better than FICS both in terms of quality of play and having the Fritz interface, but for whatever reason it won't save my games into the file anymore and so is useless to me. The USCL site has fewer players, it's harder to get a game and the graphics aren't as good as the others; but hey, it's free with USCF membership so I play there sometimes, too. I tried a trial membership at ICC, but I didn't see anything there so superior to FICS that it was worth paying for rather than getting about the same for free.
Yea, that's a point I didn't bring up. I've heard that FICS is rampant with cheaters, though i don't know for sure. I've also heard that ICC has an ongoing program to rout out cheaters, which is to their credit. Playchess.com also advertises that they find and punish cheaters. In the dozen or so games I've played on FICS, I've noticed weird fluctua ...[text shortened]... w. Who doesn't? Well, if it isn't costing you anything, you don't mind the bizarre as much.
04 Dec 05
Originally posted by no1marauderWhat the h*** happened to your save games feature in Fritz? Have you tried reinstalling the program?
I play timed games of 30-90 minutes at FICS and analyze all of them afterwards using Fritz. I've played 46 and none show any signs of engine use. Playchess is probably better than FICS both in terms of quality of play and having the Fritz interface, but for whatever reason it won't save my games into the file anymore and so is useless to me. The USCL s ...[text shortened]... re so superior to FICS that it was worth paying for rather than getting about the same for free.
These are unacceptable conditions, my friend. Do not tolerate them.
I like the USCL interface, but I can cook and eat breakfast while waiting for a game. 🙁
I'm uncertain whether cheating is more rampant on FICS than elsewhere. I still believe that cheating is far less common than fears about it, but I have grown suspicious more frequently of late at FICS. Most of my suspicions occur when I notice a game I thought was in the bag getting tougher at the same time that my opponent seems to lag. Lag is always more frustrating with 30 seconds on the clock than 15 minutes.
04 Dec 05
Originally posted by WulebgrI'm not sure whether the problem is with Fritz or not. The screen locks on Playchess when the game ends by either resignation or draw and it doesn't get saved. I can save games I play against Fritz or my OTB games that I enter manually with no problem. I'm stumped and as I'm pretty computer illiterate, I don't want to reinstall Fritz when it's working fine otherwise (IF it's a Fritz problem at all).
What the h*** happened to your save games feature in Fritz? Have you tried reinstalling the program?
These are unacceptable conditions, my friend. Do not tolerate them.
I like the USCL interface, but I can cook and eat breakfast while waiting for a game. 🙁
I'm uncertain whether cheating is more rampant on FICS than elsewhere. I still believe that ...[text shortened]... onent seems to lag. Lag is always more frustrating with 30 seconds on the clock than 15 minutes.