by
Edward D. Collins
What is lag?
What is Timeseal?
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1) While sitting in the comfort of
your own home, you make your move: 12.Qb3. The software
sends it to the USCL server. (Note: it may go through
many routes and networks before it actually reaches this
destination.) In addition to just the move, the program
sends along the time you spent thinking of your move. 2) Let's pretend in this case the server receives your move almost instantly and confirms it was indeed legal for the position and type of chess game you are playing. It then... 3) ...sends this move to your opponent. |
4) Having received you're move, your
opponent starts thinking of his reply. He immediately
decides 12...Nf6 is crushing and sends it back the
server. 5) However, at this point your opponent starts to "lag." There may be several reasons for this. For example, one or more of the servers along his route to USCL may be having problems communicating with each other, and may have to send the data packet back and forth, to confirm the information is correct. This may take time. 6) Meanwhile, at your end, you don't realize he's already made his move... and you're watching his clock tick down... tick... tick... tick... You think you're going to win on time! |
7) Finally, your opponent's move
reaches the USCL server. The server verifies the move is
valid and reads the time that was "sealed" with
the move. "Sure enough, he was lagging," the
server says. "The move took awhile to get here but
it made it... and it was indeed made a while ago."
The program updates the game clocks and then... 8) ...sends this information back to you. Your program makes his move on your chessboard for you to see and updates the game clocks, to reflect the actual time he used to consider his move.
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If
you are continuously having a problem with lag, you may
wish to consider changing your Internet provider. A
different provider will have a different route to USCL
which will probably be less troublesome. Also, you may wish to...
However, please realize he is not obligated to do any of the above. It is not considered unethical to flag someone when they have lag. |