Frequently Asked Questions

Chess Junction uses the Glicko-2 rating system, which is widely considered more accurate than the traditional Elo system used in over-the-board chess.

Key Factors: * **Rating (R):** Your skill estimate. High is better. * **Rating Deviation (RD):** How confident we are in your rating. A lower RD means more confidence. If you don't play for a while, your RD increases. * **Volatility:** A measure of how erratic your performances are.

When you win against a higher-rated player, you gain more points than winning against a lower-rated one. Conversely, losing to a lower-rated player costs you more points. Your RD will decrease after every rated game, stabilizing your rating over time.

Unlike Swiss tournaments where you play a set number of rounds, Arenas are fast-paced events where you try to get as many points as possible within a time limit.

Scoring System: * **Win:** 2 points * **Draw:** 1 point * **Loss:** 0 points

Win Streaks: If you win two games in a row, you start a "double point streak." Your next win will be worth 4 points instead of 2. The streak ends if you draw or lose.

Berserk Mode: You can choose to "Berserk" at the start of a game. This halves your clock time but gives you an extra point if you win. (Winning a Berserk game on a streak allows for massive point gains!)

We take fair play very seriously. Our system automatically flags accounts for suspicious behavior, such as consistent engine correlation or sandbagging.

1. If you believe your ban was a mistake, follow these steps:
2. Don't panic. Gather any evidence you have (e.g., if you were streaming the game).
3. Log in to your account and navigate to the Support Dashboard.
4. Locate your violation notice and click "File Appeal".
5. Explain your situation clearly and respectfully. Our fair play team reviews every appeal manually.

Appeals are typically processed within 48-72 hours. You will be notified via email of the decision.