Why are games less than or equal to 10 half moves are not counted towards rating?
ChessWorld imposes this limit in an attempt to avoid a situation where players may agree quick losses, draws or wins with each other in an attempt to manipulate their ratings. By making this strategy more time consuming such abuse is less likely. Exceptionally, in the extremely rare case where a game is finished by checkmate within the first 10 half moves the rating calculation is invoked. As ChessWorld records all games ending in checkmate we are able to detect potential manipulation. Any such abuse always results in appropriate action being taken in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
