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Online Chess Etiquette, Ratings & Time Controls Explained

Just because you are behind a screen doesn't mean sportsmanship doesn't apply. Online chess has its own unique culture, unwritten rules, and technical systems that differ from over-the-board (OTB) play. This guide explains how to be a respected member of the community and how to understand your rating.

1. The Unwritten Rules (Etiquette)

Don't "Stall" (Letting the Clock Run)

The cardinal sin of online chess is Stalling. If you are completely lost (e.g., down a Queen against a good player), you have two honorable options:
1. Resign immediately.
2. Play quickly to the checkmate.
Do NOT just leave the window open and let your remaining 10 minutes run out to annoy your opponent. This is a ban-able offense on most major servers.

Rage Quitting vs. Resigning

Closing your browser tab without clicking the "Resign" button forces your opponent to wait for the server to realize you disconnected. Always click the flag icon to resign properly before leaving.

"GG" and Chat

A simple "gg" (Good Game) is polite after a match. Avoid spamming draw offers in a losing position—it is considered rude harassment.

2. Understanding Ratings: Glicko vs. Elo

"Why is my online rating 1800 but my FIDE rating only 1400?"

Online sites (Lichess, Chess.com) typically use the Glicko-2 system, not the traditional Elo system.

Inflation: Online pools are different from FIDE pools. An 1800 rating online generally equates to a lower strength OTB.
RD (Rating Deviation): Glicko measures how "sure" the system is of your rating. If you haven't played in months, your RD goes up, meaning your rating will swing wildly (gain/lose 50 points) until you stabilize again.

3. Time Controls Decoded

Online chess moves fast. Here are the standard speeds:

Bullet (1+0 or 2+1): 1 minute total. Strategy is mostly about speed, "pre-moving" (entering a move before the opponent plays), and flagging the opponent. Not recommended for learning chess.
Blitz (3+0, 3+2, 5+0): Fast, exciting, and the most popular format. Good for testing openings, but deep calculation is difficult.
Rapid (10+0, 15+10): The "Sweet Spot" for improvement. 10 to 30 minutes allows you to actually think, calculate, and apply strategic concepts.
Increment vs. Delay: Increment (+2): You gain 2 seconds added to your clock after every move. You can technically build up time.
Delay: The clock waits 2 seconds before counting down. You cannot build up time.